Spain rallies to defeat Croatia 2-1 in Nations League match
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 6, 2026, 9:58 PM
Last updated Oct 6, 2026
Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in a UEFA Nations League match on October 6, 2026, in Split. Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Croatia in the 17th minute, marking Spain's first time trailing since June 2024. Mikel Merino equalized for Spain in the 61st minute and then scored the winner in the 88th minute after coming on as a substitute at halftime. Perisic was sent off with a second yellow card in the 79th minute, reducing Croatia to 10 men. The victory extends Spain's unbeaten run to 43 matches and secures their spot in next year's quarterfinals, joining Portugal as a group winner.
- •Spain improves their Nations League record to 4-0-0 with 12 points.
- •Mikel Merino scores both second-half goals for Spain.
- •Ivan Perisic scores for Croatia but is sent off late in the match.
- •Spain's unbeaten streak reaches 43 matches, with 36 wins.
- 10:18 PMESPN Soccer — Spain rally to beat Croatia, unbeaten run up to 43
- 9:43 PMYahoo Sports — Merino double helps Spain beat Croatia, reach Nations League quarters
- 9:33 PMYahoo Sports — Mikel Merino double gives Spain comeback win over 10-man Croatia
"Mikel Merino’s second half brace completed a comeback 2-1 win for Spain against 10-man Croatia, sealing their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. La Roja initially had gone behind in Split against a Croatia side looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats and they enjoyed a strong start, going ahead through Ivan Perisic.
"Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday."It's an honour to coach a player like that," said De la Fuente of Merino, who he called up for the World Cup right after he recovered from injury.
"Spain preserved a 2½-year unbeaten streak by rallying to beat Croatia 2-1 thanks to a clutch second-half double from super-sub Mikel Merino on Tuesday in Split.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerOct 6, 2026, 10:18 PMSpain rally to beat Croatia, unbeaten run up to 43
Spain preserved a 2½-year unbeaten streak by rallying to beat Croatia 2-1 thanks to a clutch second-half double from super-sub Mikel Merino on Tuesday in Split.
- Yahoo SportsOct 6, 2026, 9:43 PMMerino double helps Spain beat Croatia, reach Nations League quarters
Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday."It's an honour to coach a player like that," said De la Fuente of Merino, who he called up for the World Cup right after he recovered from injury.
- Yahoo SportsOct 6, 2026, 9:33 PMMikel Merino double gives Spain comeback win over 10-man Croatia
Mikel Merino’s second half brace completed a comeback 2-1 win for Spain against 10-man Croatia, sealing their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. La Roja initially had gone behind in Split against a Croatia side looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats and they enjoyed a strong start, going ahead through Ivan Perisic.
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