The reigning world champions continued their dominance on Tuesday night in Seville as Spain dominated Croatia and won 4-1 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to remain perfect at the start of their Nations League campaign. The star of the show was Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who scored twice and assisted another in a near perfect display.
Luis de la Fuente started three Barça players as Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López and Lamine Yamal were in the lineup, with captain Rodri getting a rare rest and Pedri and Dani Olmo also named on the bench to begin the game.
Just as they did against England at Wembley, Spain got off to a perfect start with a goal just 75 seconds into the action after a beautiful passing sequence down the left, a perfect dummy by Fermín López at the edge of the box, and a great curling finish from Lamine Yamal to put the hosts in front.
La Roja started fast and kept bringing danger with their possession game, and Fermín was absolutely everywhere as he moved all over the final third and was involved in every good move from the home team. He hit the post and came close a few other times, and was one of the standout players in the half.
Spain conceded against the run of play as Dion Beljo headed home a cross from the left, but Croatia had no time to celebrate as Lamine and Fermín combined on a short corner and Yamal played a glorious right-footed cross to find the head of Marc Pubill, who scored his first Spain goal to restore the hosts’ lead.
The home team had the lead at the break but could have been ahead by multiple goals, and they looked in the mood to add more in the second half.
The second half was played at a much slower pace with Croatia determined to stop Spain’s momentum with tactical fouls and a few rough challenges, while the hosts were comfortable on the ball and patiently looking for more chances.
La Roja found the third goal thanks to a gorgeous assist by Pedri and a beautiful finish by Yamal, who caught his Barça teammate Dominik Livakovic off-guard and found the space at the near post to double his tally on the night. Lamine was substituted shortly after, and was given a standing ovation by the Pizjuán crowd after a glorious hour-plus performance.
Croatia were done after the third goal and Spain cruised to the finish, but there was still time for a fourth thanks to a sensational passing sequence that started with Rodri and Pedri and ended with a great finish by Nico Williams, and the final whistle came to extend Spain’s historic unbeaten run.
The world champions never needed to get out of third gear and won with scary ease, and Yamal was absolutely sensational in Seville. That’s two good wins from two in the Nations League, and Spain’s dominance continues.
