Spain travels to Stadion Poljud in Split on Tuesday, October 6, to face Croatia in the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League Group A3. Luis de la Fuente’s side enters the match holding a nine-point lead after three wins and an active run of 42 official matches without a defeat, while Croatia looks to recover from a historic 0–7 loss to England.
Match Schedule and Television Broadcast Details in Spain
The Nations League fixture between Croatia and Spain kicks off at 20:45 local time (CEST) on Tuesday, October 6, according to the official calendar of the Real Federación Española de Fútbol. Online streaming is available through the RTVE Play platform, while Mundo Deportivo notes that live updates and match tracking will also be available on digital sports portals.
Roster Shortages and Squad Adjustments for La Roja
Spain enters the match dealing with a series of late injuries and absentees. Manager Luis de la Fuente is missing Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Porro, Eric García, and Grimaldo. To cover the gaps, the coaching staff called up fresher options in Yarek Fresneda, Fran García, Robin Le Normand, and Carlos Espí, who joins the senior group after scoring five goals for the Under-21 side against San Marino, as detailed by Mundo Deportivo. With 24 players available, De la Fuente pointed to the congested calendar, stating that the main flaw of the current international match system is the lack of recovery time between fixtures.
Croatia Prepares for Split Under Pressure After Defeat
Croatia hosts the fixture in Split sitting third in Group A3 with three points, having opened the group stage with a 2–1 win over Czechia under manager Slaven Bilić before suffering a 4–1 defeat against Spain in Seville and a 0–7 home loss to England in Rijeka. Captain Luka Modrić expressed deep frustration following the England match, noting that after twenty years with the national team, it was the first time he felt shame after a game. Manager Slaven Bilić accepted responsibility for the result, telling reporters that only the players and coaching staff can alter the team’s trajectory with a strong performance against Spain. Stadion Poljud, holding just over 34,000 spectators, is expected to honor Modrić during the evening.
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Recent Head-to-Head History and Standings Context
Spain holds a strong psychological and historical advantage in recent meetings against Croatia. La Roja defeated Croatia 4–1 on September 29 at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Seville, powered by a brace from Lamine Yamal, alongside a penalty-shootout win in the 2023 Nations League final. De la Fuente’s team leads Group A3 with a perfect nine points from three matches, scoring 10 goals in the process, while Croatia holds three points in third place heading into the final fixture of the October international window.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fixture
What time does the Croatia vs. Spain match start?
The match begins at 20:45 CEST on Tuesday, October 6, at Stadion Poljud in Split.
Where can viewers watch the match live on TV and online?
In Spain, the game is broadcast live and free-to-air on La 1 de TVE and streamed online through the RTVE Play platform.
What are the standings in Group A3 prior to kickoff?
Spain leads Group A3 with nine points from three victories, while Croatia sits in third place with three points after three matches.
Following Tuesday’s match in Split, Spain’s international calendar resumes in November when the team plays its remaining fixtures to close out the UEFA Nations League group stage.
