Croatia face Spain after record defeat as Yamal targets another decisive performance

Spain, unbeaten in 41 matches and on a run of 10 consecutive victories, meet a Croatia side attempting to recover from their record 7-0 defeat by England when the teams face each other at Split’s Poljud Stadium on Tuesday.

The match concludes the September/October international break in Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League A. Spain beat Croatia 4-1 on 29 September and have won each of their past four meetings with them, with Croatia conceding at least twice in five of their last six encounters.

Croatia’s defeat by England on Saturday was the heaviest in the history of their men’s national team. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, while Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon also found the net.

It was also the first time Croatia had conceded five goals at home. Thousands of schoolchildren allowed to attend the behind-closed-doors fixture were left shocked by the result.

Slaven Bilic apologised to the nation after the loss, which left Croatia third in Group 4, three points above a Czech Republic side without a point and three behind England in second. Croatia have conceded 12 goals in the 2026-27 Nations League, the second-worst defensive record in the competition behind San Marino’s 14.

Their Nations League record is win, loss, loss, while their overall sequence is win, win, loss, win, loss, loss.

Spain, meanwhile, moved to three wins from three in Group 3 after a convincing victory over 10-man Czech Republic in Oviedo. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Rodri and Mikel Merino added further goals, with Jiri Slajs replying for the visitors before Ladislav Krejci was sent off.

Luis de la Fuente’s side have now gone 16 Nations League matches unbeaten, excluding defeats on penalties, the longest such run since the competition began in 2018. They have also won their last 10 games and are unbeaten in 41 matches in all competitions.

Spain’s suggested selections are a victory with fewer than 4.5 goals at 1.61, Mikel Oyarzabal to score at 2.00, and Lamine Yamal to provide an assist in a Spain win at 2.62.

Croatia have no new injury concerns, although Luka Vuskovic, Marko Pasalic, Josip Misic, Petar Sucic and Martin Pongracic are at risk of suspension. Pongracic was not included against England, alongside Lovro Majer, Ante Budimir and Dion Drena Beljo. Luka Modric, withdrawn before the hour mark on Saturday, is expected to start his 206th international.

Yamal and Alex Baena were replaced at half-time against Czech Republic for tactical reasons, while Pau Cubarsi was rested. Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Alex Grimaldo are unavailable.

Probable teams

Croatia: Livakovic; Smolcic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Ivanovic, Mario Pasalic, Vlasic; Matanovic.

Spain: Simon; Fresneda, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Lopez, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Munoz.

A repeat of Croatia’s defeat by England appears unlikely, but Spain’s form makes another home shock difficult to envisage.