Overview
- Spain recovered from a 1-0 deficit to beat Croatia 2-1 at Stadion Poljud after Mikel Merino scored twice following his half-time introduction, a result reported on Tuesday that sealed Spain’s place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
- Ivan Perišić put Croatia ahead with a 17th-minute header and was later shown a second yellow card in the 79th minute, a turning point that left Croatia to finish the match with ten men.
- Coach Luis de la Fuente replaced Alex Baena with Merino at half-time, a tactical change widely described as decisive when Merino levelled in the 61st minute and then finished the comeback with a late winner.
- The victory left Spain top of Group A3 with 12 points from four wins and preserved their multi-year unbeaten run, though outlets reported slightly different tallies for the streak (42 or 43 matches).
- The result highlighted Spain’s bench strength and Merino’s growing role as a clutch substitute, and it sets up knockout-round planning for March while leaving Croatia to regroup after their heavy defeat to England earlier in the international window.