Spain beats Croatia 4-1 with two goals from Lamine Yamal

Yamal Sets the Tone Early in Seville

The match exploded into action inside the opening two minutes when Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock after just 70 seconds. Alex Baena delivered a sharp horizontal pass across the penalty area, allowing Yamal to sweep a first-time left-footed shot into the far corner past Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic. The lightning-fast strike set the tone for an opening 25 minutes of total dominance by the reigning world champions, who controlled possession and pinned the visitors deep in their own half.

Croatia weathered the early storm and manufactured an equalizer against the run of play in the 28th minute. Perisic floated a precise cross from the left flank, and Beljo rose above the Spanish defense to power a strong header past goalkeeper Unai Simon, leveling the score at 1-1.

Instant Response Restores Spanish Advantage

The parity lasted barely two minutes. From a short corner kick, Yamal lofted a right-footed cross toward the danger zone. Pubill met the delivery with a firm header to score his first senior international goal for Spain, restoring a 2-1 lead in the 31st minute.

Discipline flared during an intense first half as referee Serdar Gözübüyük brandished yellow cards to Croatia’s Pongracic and Sucic, alongside Spain’s Baena. Despite the physical challenge posed by the visitors, Luis de la Fuente’s side maintained a narrow lead heading into the halftime interval.

Second-Half Surge Seals the Result

Yamal extinguished any hopes of a Croatian comeback in the 63rd minute. Picking up a pass from substitute Pedri, the young winger squeezed a difficult, angled shot through a narrow window to notch his second goal of the evening. The strike broke open the contest and firmly tilted momentum back to the hosts.

As the match wound down, Croatia manager Bilic introduced veteran midfielder Modric in the 81st minute to stabilize the side, while Spain utilized its bench. The final blow came in the 89th minute when substitute Nico Williams executed a sharp double-stepover before curling a decisive left-footed shot past Livakovic to cap the 4-1 scoreline.

Match Details and Standings Impact

The comprehensive victory keeps Spain atop its Nations League group following an opening 3-2 away victory against England at Wembley Stadium. Croatia entered the fixture on the back of an opening win over the Czech Republic secured by a Modric goal, but struggled to contain Spain’s fluid attacking transitions.

Spain’s lineup featured Unai Simon in goal; a back four of Pubill, Cubarsi, Huijsen, and Cucurella; Zubimendi and Fabian Ruiz in central midfield; Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Baena supporting advanced sequences; and Oyarzabal leading the line. Croatia deployed Livakovic; Smolcic, Pongracic, Sutalo, and Gvardiol; Marco Pasalic and Kovacic; Beljo, Sucic, and Perisic; with Misic anchoring the formation.

The result marks Spain’s 40th match without defeat, building on a historic run of form.