UEFA Nations League – Merino scores 2 goals as Spain defeats Croatia 2-1.

In another key match of the fourth round of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Group C, Spain, playing away from home, came from behind to defeat Croatia 2-1 thanks to two goals from Merino.

Six minutes into the match, Croatia launched an attack. Kovacic made a diagonal pass, and Perisic received the ball but his shot from inside the penalty area was blocked by an opposing player. In the 13th minute, Perisic chipped a pass from the left wing into the penalty area, and Stanisic's header was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.

In the 17th minute, Kovacic dribbled forward and passed the ball across the goal. Matanovic received the ball, took a few steps, and fired a low shot, but it was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón. Perisic then headed the ball into the net, giving Croatia a 1-0 lead. In the 21st minute, Modric took a corner kick, and Matanovic's header went wide.

In the 22nd minute, Spanish defender Mark Pubil was brought down by Perisic as he received the ball, and the referee showed Perisic a yellow card. In the 33rd minute, Spain attempted a counter-attack, and Yamal received the ball and shot from the penalty area, but his shot was blocked.

In the 42nd minute, Cucurella crossed from the left, and Olmo's shot went wide. In the 45th minute, Emerick Laporte crossed, and Oyarzabal headed the ball, but it was saved by Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic.

In the first half stoppage time, Pedri made a long pass, Yamal received the ball, made a slight adjustment and fired a shot, but the ball hit the side netting.

At the start of the second half, Spain substituted Merino for Alex Baena. In the 50th minute, Olmo received the ball and unleashed a powerful shot from the penalty area, but the ball went wide. In the 53rd minute, Pau Cuvarsi played a through ball, but Yamal went down in the penalty area and missed a shooting opportunity.

In the 61st minute, Yamal's cross was cleared by an opposing player, Olmo immediately passed it diagonally, and Merino slotted it home to level the score at 1-1 for Spain. In the 66th minute, Rodri fouled Jagic while contesting for possession and was shown a yellow card by the referee.

In the 77th minute, Spain made a mistake, and Perisic gained possession and took a shot, but it was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón. In the 79th minute, Perisic fouled Cucurella while vying for possession, and Perisic was sent off for accumulating his second yellow card, leaving Croatia with only 10 players to continue.

In the 88th minute, Martin Zubmendi chipped a pass into the penalty area, and Merino controlled the ball before unleashing a powerful shot that found the back of the net, giving Spain a 2-1 lead over Croatia.

In the end, Spain defeated Croatia 2-1 away from home, securing their qualification for the next round with a four-game winning streak.

Image source: Internet