Spain continued their impressive start to the UEFA Nations League with a convincing 4-1 victory over Croatia at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in Seville. Lamine Yamal scored twice, with Marc Pubill and Nico Williams also finding the net for La Roja. The match was Spain's first home game since winning the World Cup in July, and the team was eager to celebrate with their fans. Captain Rodri was presented with the trophy by Sevilla legend Jesus Navas before the match.
The home team got off to a flying start, with Yamal scoring within 75 seconds to give Spain the lead. However, Dion Beljo equalized for Croatia shortly before halftime, nodding in a cross from Ivan Perisic. But Pubill restored Spain's lead with a header from a Yamal center, and the hosts never looked back. Yamal added another goal in the 63rd minute, finishing precisely at Dominik Livakovic's near post to put Spain 3-1 up.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain's coach, praised Yamal's performance, saying the 19-year-old is keen to develop and show the world his skills. Yamal's impressive form has made him a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or, and de la Fuente believes he will be recognized for his contributions to the team in the future. Nico Williams added a fourth goal for Spain in the dying minutes, securing a deserved victory for La Roja.
The win puts Spain top of Group A3 with six points from two matches, while Croatia sit third on three points. England, who defeated the Czech Republic 2-0 in Prague, sit second on goal difference. Thomas Tuchel's England side secured their first win of the group, thanks to second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane.
The match in Prague was marked by controversy, with Czech Republic's Pavel Sulc being sent off in the 23rd minute for a high challenge on Elliot Anderson. Despite being a man down, the home team kept England at bay in the first half, but ultimately succumbed to Gordon's header and Kane's strike in the 69th minute. Tuchel praised his team's professional performance, saying they stepped up in the second half to secure a deserved victory.
Gordon's goal was his third in three games for England, including one against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final defeat and another against Spain. Kane's goal gave England breathing space, smashing the ball past Matej Kovar after it fell to him inside the box. The win sets up an interesting match for England against Croatia on Saturday, while Spain welcome the Czech Republic to Oviedo.
The results leave Spain and England in a strong position in Group A3, while Croatia and the Czech Republic face a tough battle to qualify. The UEFA Nations League continues on Saturday, with England traveling to Rijeka to take on Croatia and Spain hosting the Czech Republic in Oviedo. The competition is heating up, and teams will be eager to secure crucial wins to advance to the next stage.
Key points
- Spain defeated Croatia 4-1, with Lamine Yamal scoring twice.
- England secured a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, with Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane scoring.
- Spain top Group A3 with six points, while England sit second on goal difference.
