Spain reach Nations League quarter-finals as De la Fuente praises comeback against Croatia

Spain became the second team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals after recovering from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 in their League A Group 3 match at Stadion Poljud.

Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 17th minute, but substitute Mikel Merino scored twice after the interval to complete Spain’s comeback. His first goal came in the 61st minute before he struck again in the 89th.

Spain’s victory took them to 12 points from four matches, leaving them top of the group with a perfect record. Croatia remain third on three points and are now facing an early exit from the competition, with two group matches still to play.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players for overcoming a difficult challenge against a Croatia side determined to respond after their heavy defeat by England in the previous round.

“We never give up. The players surprise me match after match,” De la Fuente said in a television interview after the game.

“We knew how to overcome every obstacle and how to come away from this match as winners.”

England defeated Croatia 7-0 in the third round, and De la Fuente said Spain had expected an intense reaction from their opponents.

“We knew the match against Croatia would be difficult and fiercely contested,” he added. “We knew they would play this match carrying the wound of the previous game, when they lost by seven goals.”

Spain struggled to turn their possession into goals before half-time and went into the interval behind after Perisic’s opener. De la Fuente said his side improved significantly in the second half and found a way back into the contest.

“We were better in the second half, and we had the chance to come back against Croatia,” he said.

Merino’s introduction proved decisive as Spain first levelled the match and then secured all three points late on. Croatia’s task became even harder in the 80th minute when Perisic was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a challenge on Marc Cucurella.

De la Fuente said Spain had taken control after the break and created enough opportunities to deserve the win.

“We controlled the match in the second half, created many chances and knew how to win,” he said.

The result confirms Spain’s place in the last eight before the group stage has finished, while Croatia must now try to recover from back-to-back setbacks after their defeat by England and the loss to the reigning Nations League holders.