Spain produced another emphatic performance in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday, defeating Croatia 4–1 in Seville to maintain their perfect start to Group A3.
The victory was particularly significant because it came in Spain’s first home match since their World Cup triumph. It also extended their unbeaten run to 40 matches, underlining the extraordinary consistency of Luis de la Fuente’s side.
At the centre of the performance was Lamine Yamal, who scored twice and created another goal as Spain eventually pulled away from a Croatia side that briefly threatened to make the contest difficult.
Yamal strikes almost immediately
Spain needed less than two minutes to take the lead.
Fermín López produced a clever flick to release Yamal, and the Barcelona forward showed remarkable composure to beat Dominik Livaković and put the hosts ahead. It was an early indication of the influence Yamal would have on the night.
Croatia, however, did not collapse.
They responded through Dion Beljo, who headed Ivan Perišić’s cross into the net for his first international goal. It was only Beljo’s third senior appearance for Croatia, making the equaliser a significant moment for the young forward.
At 1–1, Croatia had given themselves a platform.
Spain, though, quickly took it away.
Spain regain control
Only two minutes after Croatia’s equaliser, Spain restored their advantage.
Yamal turned creator this time, delivering an excellent ball for Marc Pubill, who headed home his first Spain goal. The goal was important not only because it put Spain back in front, but because it demonstrated how quickly the hosts could punish Croatia when space appeared.
Spain then began to impose their possession-based game more consistently.
Croatia, with experienced players such as Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, attempted to remain competitive, but Spain’s movement between the lines repeatedly created problems.
And Yamal was not finished.
Yamal’s second ends Croatia’s hopes
Spain’s third goal arrived through another combination of technical quality and intelligent movement.
Pedri found Yamal with a through ball, and the winger finished at the near post to make it 3–1. It was Yamal’s second goal of the night and his performance had become the defining feature of the match.
The goal also reflected the growing understanding between Yamal and Spain’s midfielders. Rather than simply staying wide, Yamal repeatedly moved into dangerous central positions, giving Croatia’s defenders difficult decisions to make.
For a player still in his teenage years, his influence on a match of this magnitude was striking.
Nico Williams completes the victory
Croatia’s task became increasingly difficult as the second half progressed.
Spain controlled the match and continued to create opportunities, while Croatia struggled to generate the attacking pressure required to mount another comeback.
The final blow arrived in the 89th minute.
Nico Williams received the ball inside the penalty area, twisted away from his marker and fired into the net to make it 4–1.
It was a fitting conclusion to an evening in which Spain’s wide players caused Croatia persistent problems.
A symbolic night for the world champions
The setting added another layer to Spain’s victory.
This was their first home match since winning the World Cup in July, meaning the match doubled as a celebration of their return to Spanish soil as world champions. They responded with a performance that suggested the success had not diminished their appetite.
According to Reuters, the victory extended Spain’s unbeaten sequence to 40 matches.
That run is particularly remarkable given the quality of opposition Spain have faced during it.
Croatia, meanwhile, entered the game after beating Czechia 2–1 in their opening Group A3 match. Spain had also won their opener, dramatically defeating England 3–2 at Wembley after coming from behind.
The meeting was therefore effectively a clash between two teams that had begun the Nations League with victories.
By the end of the night, Spain had established themselves at the top of the group with six points from two matches.
What it means for Group A3
After two rounds, Spain have won both of their matches, while England have one victory and one defeat. Croatia and Czechia have each lost twice. UEFA’s Matchday 2 summary confirmed Spain’s 4–1 victory and England’s 2–0 win in Czechia.
The result therefore gives Spain an important early advantage in the group.
More importantly, it demonstrated that the Spanish side continues to combine the possession and technical control associated with its footballing identity with an increasingly ruthless attacking edge.
And on this particular night, Lamine Yamal was the difference-maker.
He scored Spain’s first and third goals, assisted the second and repeatedly unsettled Croatia’s defence. With Pubill and Williams also finding the net, Spain eventually turned what had been a competitive match into a convincing victory.
