Spain secured top spot in UEFA Nations League Group A3 with a dominant 4-1 victory over Croatia at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The resounding win was driven by a brilliant two-goal performance from teenage winger Lamine Yamal. This result maintained Luis de la Fuente’s side’s perfect start to the campaign following their opening 3-2 win against England.
Lightning Start and Yamal’s Opening Strike
The reigning world and European champions made an immediate impact, opening the scoring just 70 seconds into the match. The goal stemmed from a remarkable 26-pass sequence directly from kickoff, during which not a single Croatian player touched the ball. Working the ball down the left flank, Marc Cucurella and Alex Baena combined neatly before Baena threaded a clever pass to Yamal inside the penalty area. The Barcelona winger took a touch before calmly sweeping a left-footed effort into the far bottom corner.
Despite early pressure that saw Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic make several crucial saves-including parrying away Baena’s effort and blocking a follow-up from Cucurella-Croatia managed to find an equalizer against the run of play in the 28th minute.
Croatia Equalizes Before Spain Reclaims Control
Veteran winger Ivan Perisic delivered an exquisite cross from the left wing into the penalty box. Dion Drena Beljo found space between Pau Cubarsi and Dean Huijsen, rising above his marker to head powerfully into the top corner from close range. The strike marked Beljo’s first senior international goal for Croatia in his third appearance, lifting the 3,000 traveling supporters.
However, parity lasted barely three minutes. Yamal took a short corner, exchanged passes with Fermin Lopez, and floated a precise cross toward the back post. Marc Pubill rose above the Croatia defense to power his header into the roof of the net, registering his maiden international goal and restoring Spain’s 2-1 lead in the 31st minute.
Second-Half Dominance and Clinical Finish
Spain maintained territorial control after the interval. Lamine Yamal continued to dictate the attacking tempo and grabbed his second goal of the evening in the 63rd minute. Pedri threaded an intelligent pass through the left side of the Croatian defense, allowing Yamal to race into the area and squeeze a left-footed shot past Livakovic from an extremely tight angle.
Yamal received a standing ovation from the Seville crowd when he was substituted for Victor Munoz in the 68th minute. Croatia introduced veteran captain Luka Modric in the 81st minute to warm applause from the home supporters, but there was no late comeback.
Spain capped off their comprehensive display in the 89th minute. Substitute Mikel Merino delivered a first-time pass through the defense, and Nico Williams raced beyond Josko Gvardiol before finishing calmly in a one-on-one situation to seal the 4-1 scoreline.
Match Summary and Standings
- Final Score: Spain 4 – 1 Croatia
- Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- Venue: Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Seville
- Goals (Spain): Lamine Yamal (2′, 63′), Marc Pubill (31′), Nico Williams (89′)
- Goals (Croatia): Dion Drena Beljo (28′)
The result leaves Spain firmly at the summit of Group A3 with maximum points ahead of their upcoming home fixture against Czechia. Meanwhile, Croatia slips to third place in the group standings as they prepare to face England at the Stadion Rujevica in Rijeka.
