Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice as Spain recovered from a goal down to beat Croatia and secure their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
World champions Spain entered the match aiming for an 11th consecutive victory, but Luis de la Fuente’s side found themselves behind after just 17 minutes.
Ivan Perisic gave Croatia the lead with a header, providing an encouraging response from a team that had suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat against England in their previous Nations League fixture.
Croatia’s improved performance was recognised by their supporters, who gave the players a standing ovation at half-time. Spain, however, returned for the second half with greater attacking threat and eventually found a way back into the contest.
The equaliser arrived in the 61st minute after Croatia failed to properly clear the danger. Dani Olmo collected the loose ball and found Merino, who produced a composed finish to bring Spain level.
Spain then increased the pressure as they searched for a winner. Lamine Yamal went close when his goalbound effort was blocked, while Croatia continued to pose a threat at the other end.
Perisic almost restored Croatia’s advantage with a powerful effort that was saved, but his night soon took a dramatic turn. The 37-year-old received his second yellow card following a foul on Marc Cucurella, leaving Croatia to finish the match with 10 players.
Spain made the numerical advantage count in the closing stages.
With just two minutes remaining, Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi delivered a fine ball into the path of his club team-mate Merino. The substitute completed Spain’s comeback with an excellent finish, scoring his second goal of the match and securing all three points.
The late victory extended Spain’s winning run to 11 matches and confirmed their progression to the Nations League quarter-finals.
The result also kept De la Fuente’s team at the top of League A Group 3. Spain hold a three-point advantage over England, who remained in pursuit after recording a comfortable 3-0 victory against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
For Croatia, the defeat ended a much stronger performance than their previous outing, but Perisic’s late dismissal proved significant as Spain capitalised to complete their comeback.
