When a team is as strong as the Spaniards currently are, wins are expected, as if it were easy. And yet, this Spain team really justifies those expectations even when they don’t play well. Tonight, they visited Croatia, the 14th-placed team on FIFA’s list, played badly, fell behind after only 17 minutes, but in the end triumphed 2-1. This time, it was not Yamal, or Pedri or Olmo, this time, the win was the product of some great saves from Unai Simon and a brace from Mikel Merino. Arsenal’s joker did the same with the Spanish team, entered the game in the second half and turned the game over with two goals, continuing the Spanish unbeaten record.6 – Mikel Merino ha marcado seis goles con España en 16 partidos oficiales tras salir desde el banquillo desde el principio de 2025. ⏱️ Es el jugador que más goles ha logrado como suplente con una selección europea desde entonces. 🇪🇸 En total, ha anotado siete goles como suplente con Luis de la Fuente, más que cualquier otro jugador de la @SEFutbol. ✨ Vital.— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 6, 2026 In fact, De la Fuente’s men are playing so good that they are not even recording draws, only wins. The last team to manage a single point from Spain was Cabo Verde in the first game of the World Cup, back in June 2026. Former Inter and Tottenham player Ivan Perišić will have hard time to sleep after missing a sitter at 1-1 and then getting a second yellow card, which allowed Spain to score the winner. Simon also did his job and saved two great shots, which could have turned the game in a totally different direction.Totally surprisingly, Spain was on the ropes in the first 20 minutes of the game. Croatia was attacking, creating chances and eventually scored. Their biggest chance came just before the opening goal. Perisic crossed with his left foot in the 13th minute, Stanisic headed it at the far post, but Unai Simon made a fantastic reflex save to deny the hosts. But, he was helpless four minutes later, when Croatia launched a counter-attack and after he saved Matanovic’s shot, the rebound came to Perisic, who put the ball in the end. Pubill hesitated too much, allowing Perisic to come and shoot. Spanish keeper prevented the Croats from taking a shocking 2-0 lead with another save after Matanovic’s shot. The Spaniards took over but they only had one chance during the entire 45 minutes. Yamal got into a position to shoot but only hit the side netting.Mikel Merino was introduced at halftime, and Spain really pushed hard for the equaliser. Croatia began to defend as they couldn’t replicate their first-half performance. Yamal embarrassed himself in the 53rd minute, when he picked up a perfect long ball from Cubarsi and went alone in front of Livakovic, but failed to even take a shot. Luckily for De la Fuente, the Arsenal and Spain joker Merino was there to equalise in the 61st minute. Dani Olmo got the ball on the edge of the box, and being unable to shoot, he passed it to Merino, who acted as if he were a natural striker and equalised. Croatia should have taken the lead again in the 77th minute when Zubimendi made a horrendous horizontal pass and gave the ball to Perišić near the penalty area, but Simon somehow managed to save it. Spain had 10 minutes to completely turn the game over as Perišić got the second yellow card in the 81st minute, and two minutes from time, it was Merino who did it for another victory.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE – DIVISION ASundayMondayFrance – Belgium 4-1 (0-1)/Doue 77, Cherki 81, Olise 88, 90+1 – Lukebakio 35/Italy – Turkey 3-1 (1-0)/Scamacca 26, Calafiori 64, Esposito 87 – Simsir 61/TuesdayCroatia – Spain 1-2 (1-0)/Perisic 17 – Merino 61, 86/England – Czech R. 3-0 (2-0)/Coufal 27(og); Kane 40, 57/
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