Spain beat 10-man Czechia to stay perfect in Nations League

Spain extended their unbeaten run to 41 matches in all competitions by beating 10-man Czechia 3-1 at Carlos Tartiere Stadium on Saturday.

The victory keeps the World champions top of UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 with nine points from three games, three points clear of England, and maintains their perfect start to the 2026-27 competition.

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after six minutes with a fine individual finish. The 19-year-old Barcelona winger cut in from the right, exchanged passes with Dani Olmo and curled a left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area into the far top corner beyond Antonin Kinsky.

Spain continued to control possession and created several more opportunities before doubling their lead in the 35th minute.

Pedri’s pass towards Roberto Fernandez was blocked, but Rodri reacted quickest to the rebound and struck the loose ball high into the net. Kinsky had earlier kept out a Dani Olmo half-volley and a low effort from Pedri.

Czechia improved after the interval and reduced the deficit in the 69th minute. Adam Hlozek advanced down the left before finding overlapping full-back Jiri Slama, whose angled drive went across David Raya and into the far corner.

The visitors appeared to have drawn level in the 79th minute after Raya spilled a looping header from Czechia captain Ladislav Krejci. Substitute Ryan Naderi followed up to put the ball over the line, but the goal was ruled out because Lukas Cerv had committed a foul.

Czechia’s task became more difficult five minutes later when Krejci was shown a second yellow card for pulling back Roberto Fernandez during a counter-attack.

Spain then restored their two-goal advantage in the 89th minute. Victor Munoz kept the attack moving after another heavy challenge on Fernandez, and although Kinsky parried his shot, substitute Mikel Merino was on hand to score into an empty net.

Scotland win in North Macedonia

Scotland secured a 2-0 away victory over North Macedonia, with Kieron Bowie scoring his first international goal in the seventh minute. John McGinn added a 69th-minute penalty.

Switzerland came from behind to beat Slovenia 2-1 and remain perfect in League B Group 1. Zan Vipotnik put Slovenia ahead after two minutes, but an Erik Janza own goal in the 10th minute and Dan Ndoye’s strike in the 38th minute turned the match around.

Finland also recovered from an early setback to defeat Albania 2-1. Rey Manaj scored for Albania in the fourth minute before Leo Walta equalised in the 26th minute and scored the winner with 19 minutes left.

Belarus beat San Marino 4-0, with Artem Kontsevoy scoring in the 46th and 88th minutes. Artem Shumanskiy and Max Ebong also scored, in the 65th and 68th minutes respectively.

Estonia edged past Luxembourg 1-0 through Rasmus Peetson’s fifth-minute goal, while Iceland beat Bulgaria 3-0. Orri Oskarsson scored twice, in the 37th and 60th minutes, before Mikael Ellertsson added a third in the 90th minute.