By Staff Reporter
SPLIT, Croatia — Spain will look to extend their remarkable unbeaten run when they face Croatia in a crucial UEFA Nations League Group A3 clash at Stadion Poljud on Tuesday night.
The FIFA World Cup holders enter the match on a 10-game winning streak and 41 matches without defeat, putting them firmly in control of their quarterfinal qualification hopes.
Spain lead Group A3 with nine points from three matches after beating England 3-2, Croatia 4-1 and Czechia 3-1.
Croatia, meanwhile, sit third on three points after a campaign that has taken a dramatic turn. They beat Czechia 2-1 before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Spain and then endured a historic 7-0 humiliation against England.
The latest meeting also renews the intriguing contest between two generations of European football, with Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal facing Croatia captain Luka Modric.
Yamal has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout players, scoring four goals in three matches. He scored twice in Spain’s 4-1 victory over Croatia and has found the net in every game of the campaign.
Modric, 41, remains the driving force in Croatia’s midfield and has scored once in the Nations League. Ivan Perisic has also contributed two assists.
Spain’s attacking strength has been one of the defining features of their campaign, with 10 goals scored by seven different players in three matches. Atletico Madrid’s Alex Baena has added a goal and two assists.
The head-to-head record also favours Spain. The teams have met 12 times, with Spain winning seven, Croatia three and two matches ending in draws.
Croatia will be without injured defender Martin Erlic and illness-hit Josip Juranovic. Spain could also be missing Ferran Torres, Alejandro Grimaldo, Joan Garcia and Nico Williams because of various injuries.
A Spain victory would strengthen their position at the top of the group and move them closer to securing a place in the Nations League quarterfinals, scheduled for March 2027.
Probable Croatia XI: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic; Luka Modric; Franjo Ivanovic, Petar Sucic, Mateo Kovacic, Martin Baturina; Petar Musa.
Probable Spain XI: David Raya; Ivan Fresneda, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Fran Garcia; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Roberto Fernandez.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45pm local time (18:45 GMT) at Stadion Poljud in Split.
