Spain continued their impressive UEFA Nations League campaign with a thrilling 2 to 1 victory over Croatia at Stadion Poljud in Split on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. Mikel Merino emerged as the hero, scoring twice to overturn an early deficit and secure another important triumph for the reigning world champions.
Croatia entered the encounter determined to respond after their recent heavy defeat against England. The hosts made a promising start, with experienced winger Ivan Perišić putting them ahead in the 17th minute. His opening goal energised the home supporters and gave Croatia a valuable advantage heading into the interval.
Despite trailing, Spain maintained their composure and gradually increased the pressure after the restart. Manager Luis de la Fuente introduced Merino at halftime, a decision that proved decisive as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
The breakthrough arrived in the 61st minute when Merino converted an opportunity created by Dani Olmo, restoring parity and shifting momentum towards the Spanish side.
Croatia’s challenge became considerably tougher in the 79th minute when Perišić received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten players for the closing stages.
Spain capitalised on their numerical advantage and continued searching for a winner. Their persistence was rewarded in the 89th minute when Merino controlled a delivery from Martín Zubimendi before finishing past goalkeeper Dominik Livaković.
The result extended Spain’s unbeaten sequence to 42 matches and confirmed their place in the Nations League quarterfinals. They now lead Group A3 with 12 points from four fixtures, maintaining a flawless record.
For Croatia, the defeat was particularly disappointing after a spirited performance against elite opposition. However, Spain demonstrated their championship qualities once again, combining patience, attacking quality and determination to claim three crucial points away from home.
