“Ivan Perisic heads Croatia into an unlikely lead from a corner-turned-chance after a foul won in the defensive half.”
Pivotal“Mikel Merino, on at half-time, levels the score for Spain after their dominant second-half pressure finally pays off.”
Pivotal“Mikel Merino completes his brace, finding the net again in the dying minutes to hand Spain a dramatic late winner against a ten-man Croatia.”
Pivotal
Croatia
Spain
Outstanding performance
Spain•MidfielderCroatia stunned the run of play with Ivan Perisic's early header, but that proved to be the extent of their attacking threat as Spain's 72% possession and 75 dangerous attacks gradually wore the hosts down. Mikel Merino, introduced at half-time, changed the complexion of the match entirely, equalising on 61 minutes before Perisic's second yellow card for a reckless foul in the 79th minute left Croatia a man short. With the hosts pinned back, Merino struck again in the 88th minute to snatch all three points for Spain in a match they controlled territorially from start to finish. For Croatia, it's a result that will sting given their bright start, while Spain's bench impact and squad depth continue to look like a genuine strength heading into their next assignments.
How entertaining was this match?
Spain wins a corner after Josko Gvardiol concedes.
Spain wins a corner after Josip Stanisic concedes.
Dani Olmo (Spain) misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the right.
Marc Cucurella from Spain wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Nikola Vlasic commits a foul for Croatia.
Luka Vuskovic commits a foul for Croatia.
Mikel Merino from Spain is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
The second half begins with the score at Croatia 1, Spain 0.
Substitution for Spain: Mikel Merino comes on for Álex Baena.
Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Spain) had a left-footed shot from a tough angle on the right that was close but went wide to the right. He was assisted by Pedri with a through ball.
First half ends with Croatia leading 1-0 against Spain.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
Mikel Oyarzabal's header from the center of the box is saved by Dominik Livakovic in the center of the goal. Aymeric Laporte provided the assist with a cross.
Corner awarded to Croatia after Pau Cubarsí concedes.
Mateo Kovacic's right-footed shot from the left side of the box for Croatia is blocked.
Attempt missed. Nikola Vlasic (Croatia) takes a right-footed shot from over 35 yards that goes close but misses to the left. Luka Modric assisted after a fast break.
Dani Olmo of Spain misses a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it to the right. The attempt was assisted by Marc Cucurella's cross.
Igor Matanovic from Croatia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Pau Cubarsí of Spain.
Spain wins a corner after Josko Gvardiol concedes.
Mateo Kovacic wins a free kick for Croatia in the defensive half.
Marc Pubill commits a foul for Spain.
Foul committed by Aymeric Laporte (Spain).
Josip Stanisic from Croatia wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Kristijan Jakic of Croatia.
Lamine Yamal's left-footed shot from the right side of the box for Spain is blocked.
Spain wins a corner after Josko Gvardiol concedes.
Dani Olmo from Spain is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Mateo Kovacic commits a handball for Croatia.
Álex Baena's right-footed shot from outside the box for Spain is blocked.
Pedri from Spain wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Ivan Perisic commits a handball for Croatia.
Foul committed by Kristijan Jakic of Croatia.
Luka Vuskovic from Croatia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain.
Attempt saved. Igor Matanovic's right-footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Unai Simón. Nikola Vlasic provided the assist.
Foul committed by Ivan Perisic of Croatia.
Ivan PerisicYellow CardIvan Perisic of Croatia receives a yellow card for a foul.
Marc Pubill wins a free kick for Spain in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Igor Matanovic (Croatia) heads the ball from the left side of the six-yard box, but it goes to the right. Luka Modric provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to Croatia after a concession by Marc Pubill.
Attempt saved. Igor Matanovic's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Unai Simón. Mateo Kovacic provided the assist.
assist: Igor Matanovic
Goal! Croatia leads 1-0 against Spain. Ivan Perisic scores for Croatia with a header from the center of the box into the bottom left corner.
Nikola Vlasic wins a free kick for Croatia in the defensive half.
Foul by Marc Cucurella (Spain).
Foul committed by Igor Matanovic of Croatia.
Aymeric Laporte (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Pau Cubarsí of Spain.
Igor Matanovic from Croatia is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt saved. Josip Stanisic's header from the right side of the six-yard box is saved in the top right corner by Unai Simón. The assist came from Ivan Perisic's cross.
Attempt missed. Kristijan Jakic (Croatia) takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box but misses to the left. He was assisted by Josip Stanisic.
Luka Vuskovic commits a foul for Croatia.
Aymeric Laporte wins a free kick for Spain in the defensive half.
Ivan Perisic's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Mateo Kovacic.
Corner awarded to Croatia after a concession by Marc Pubill.
First half begins.
Croatia return home to Split desperate to banish the memory of a humiliating 7-0 defeat to England, but they face a Spain side in imperious form who can clinch a Nations League quarter-final spot with victory. Luka Modrić has called for unity as his aging side tries to avoid a second straight demolition.
