Real Madrid forward Carlos Espí has been omitted from Spain’s matchday squad for tonight’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Croatia in Split, diariovasco.com reported. Head coach Luis de la Fuente trimmed his roster down to 23 players ahead of the 20:45 CET kickoff at Stadion Poljud, leaving the 19-year-old striker as the sole tactical cut from the travelling group.
Squad Reduction After Fabián Ruiz Departs
Spain travelled to the Croatian coast with 24 players following the departure of midfielder Fabián Ruiz on Saturday. Ruiz left the national team concentration in Paris to attend the birth of his first child, leaving De la Fuente with a straightforward numerical adjustment to make. Espí drew the short straw after being kept off the bench last Saturday during Spain’s 3–1 victory over the Czech Republic at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo. The decision leaves the young attacker waiting for his senior international debut with La Roja.
Rapid Rise From Levante to Real Madrid
Espí earned his unexpected senior call-up on Friday as an emergency replacement for Ferran Torres, who withdrew from the squad due to injury. The summons rewarded a prolific stretch that began during the final months of last season, when Espí scored 11 goals in 25 league appearances to help Levante avoid relegation from Spain’s top flight. His explosive form under coach Luís Castro convinced Real Madrid to pay a reported €25 million transfer fee during the summer transfer window, securing a physical target man for manager José Mourinho. Despite logging only 26 minutes across five substitute appearances in La Liga this term, Espí has already scored two league goals—against Espanyol and Elche—worth four standings points, alongside five goals for Spain’s under-21 side against San Marino last week.
Pau Cubarsí Returns to Defensive Rotation
While Espí drops out of the matchday squad, Barcelona central defender Pau Cubarsí returns to the fold in Split. Cubarsí was left out of the 23-player roster in Oviedo to receive a physical break after playing every minute of Spain’s opening two Nations League fixtures against England and Croatia. With the young centre-back refreshed, De la Fuente restores him to a defensive unit that needs only a draw tonight to secure qualification for the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Spain Squad Numbers for the Croacia Fixture
The official squad list and shirt numbers confirmed for tonight’s match against Croatia include David Raya (1), Dean Huijsen (2), Robin Le Normand (3), Iván Fresneda (4), Pau Cubarsí (5), Mikel Merino (6), Víctor Muñoz (7), Roberto Fernández (8), Fermín López (9), Dani Olmo (10), Yéremy Pino (11), Marc Pubill (12), Josep Martínez (13), Aymeric Laporte (14), Álex Baena (15), Rodri Hernández (16), Fran García (17), Martín Zubimendi (18), Lamine Yamal (19), Pedri González (20), Mikel Oyarzabal (21), Marc Cucurella (22), and Unai Simón (23).
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