Spain beats Croatia as Yamal stars in Nations League clash

Dion Drena Beljo celebrates his first goal for Croatia

Spain has defeated Croatia 4-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night, with Lamine Yamal scoring twice as the world champions showed their class at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Seville.

Slaven Bilić made several changes to the side that defeated Czechia in the opening round.

Josip Šutalo and Marin Pongračić started at centre-back, with Joško Gvardiol moving to left-back and Ivan Smolčić replacing the injured Josip Stanišić on the right.

Josip Mišić came into midfield alongside Mateo Kovačić and Petar Sučić, while Ivan Perišić and Marco Pašalić started on the wings. Dinamo Zagreb’s Dion Drena Beljo led the line.

Spain needed just over a minute to take the lead.

The move began down the left, with Alejandro Baena and Marc Cucurella combining before the ball was played across to Yamal on the right. The Barcelona forward found space and finished to put the hosts 1-0 ahead.

Spain continued to apply pressure and dominate possession, with Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković making several important saves to keep the deficit to one goal.

Croatia gradually found a way back into the match and equalised in the 28th minute.

Kovačić released Perišić on the left wing and he delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area. Beljo rose highest and headed past the Spanish goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

It was Beljo’s first goal for Croatia in his third international appearance.

The equaliser lifted the visiting side and the 3,000 Croatian supporters inside the stadium.

Spain, however, restored their lead just three minutes later.

Following a corner from the right, Yamal delivered into the six-yard box, where Marc Pubill found space between Beljo and Šutalo and finished to make it 2-1.

Spain continued to dictate the tempo before half-time, using sustained spells of possession and a high press to keep Croatia pinned back.

The hosts appeared to have extended their advantage further before half-time, but the goal was ruled out.

Croatia went into the break 2-1 down and facing the task of finding a way to disrupt Spain’s control of the game.

Spain eventually added a third in the 63rd minute.

Pedri played the ball into the path of Yamal, who made a run into the penalty area before cutting inside and shooting towards the near post.

Livaković was unable to cover the angle and Yamal found the net for his second goal of the night, putting Spain 3-1 ahead.

Substitute Nico Williams would make it four for the hosts in the dying minutes to secure three points for the hosts.

Croatia will now turn their attention to their next Nations League fixture against England in Rijeka on Saturday.