Lamine Yamal dazzled and world champions Spain won against Croatia, 4-1, in the UEFA Nations League. The winger got two goals and assisted another as La Roja kept their winning ways.
Yamal opened the scoring for Spain within just two minutes, but Dion Drena Beljo answered back with an equalizer before the half-hour mark. Spain got back on top after Marc Pubill scored from a Yamal assist just three minutes later.
Interestingly, FC Barcelona’s backup goalkeeper Dominik Livaković started in goal for Croatia.
A pass from Pedri, who like Yamal and Livaković, plays for Barça, left the winger one-on-one with the opposing keeper. Yamal did not miss, and scored his second goal of the match in the 63rd minute.
Yamal said that training with Livaković came in handy in scoring that goal.
“I already know him from training—I know him well. I thought about what he does when I shoot at him in practice, and thank God, it went in,” Yamal said.
Nico Williams scored the final goal in the 88th minute.
Yamal was also asked if his performance would add to his case for the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual honor.
“Another one,” is all Yamal said.
Livaković signed from Fenerbahçe in the past transfer window. He recently made his debut for Barcelona in a 3-1 win over Sevilla.
