European Nations League,
League A – 2
Spain
Esp
09/29/2026
19:45
Croatia
Crow
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place
- Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium
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Judgment
- Serdar Gozubuyuk
Summary of the match between Spain and Croatia in the European Nations League
Thirty-five years after leaving Sevilla as a player, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente makes another trip to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday, to visit the place where the World Cup winner took his first steps as a manager.
“Coming to Sevilla always brings up special feelings in me,” said De La Fuente, whose team hosts Croatia three days after beating England 3-2 at Wembley.
“I’ve spent a long time here. I would say to Luis de la Fuente who coached the Sevilla youth team 25 years ago, ‘Don’t give up, keep insisting, stay consistent.’ That’s what got me to where I am now.
“The great strength of our team is that we have many systems and ways of playing, and we always reinforce our ideals.
“We are a strong, strong team that dominates the game. But of course Croatia can compete with us and they have a chance. We know them well from the confrontations we have had over the years.”
After 14 years, coach Slaven Bilic’s second spell in charge of the visitors began with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on the same night that Spain began victorious.
“This is it (SpainBilic said: “The first match at home after winning the World Cup. I have no doubt that it will be a special match, but it will certainly not be an exhibition match.
“For our part, we will not overestimate their celebration. There is no greater challenge than playing a competitive match against the best in the world.”
“If you play at the highest level, both individually and as a team, you can compete against Spain. There are things you can exploit.
“What is certain is that in order to be able to match these players, we have to play at the highest level. We do not need a miracle, we need belief and quality.”
Latest UEFA Nations League schedule
League A – Group C
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position 1, 2: Qualifiers: Quarter-finals
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position 3: Relegation qualifiers
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position 4: Landing
News of the match between Spain and Croatia in the European Nations League
Eric Garcia has withdrawn from the Spain squad after sustaining a minor injury during the warm-up period ahead of the win in England.
Mark Popil replaces Garcia at right-back, and Robin Le Normand returns to the team for the first time since October 2025 as a replacement for the Barcelona player in La Roja’s squad.
Inter Milan’s Josep Martinez was a previous substitute for Barcelona goalkeeper Juan Garcia, who has a minor knee problem, and Real Madrid’s Dean Huysen also replaced Marcos Llorent after the defender retired from international football.
Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandes received his first call-up but was not part of the squad for the match against the Three Lions.
Centre-backs Martin Erlich (foot) and Weidemann Josip Goranovic (hamstring) have withdrawn from Croatia’s squad due to injury.
Winger Martin Baturina, Fiorentina defender Marin Pongrasic, PAOK Christian defender Christian Jakic, and AEK midfielder Lovro Mader received late call-ups.
Ivor Pandor will make his debut if the Rangers goalkeeper is involved, while Luka Modric, who turned 41 earlier this month and has decided to continue playing international football, could win his 204th cap.
Milan’s Modric scored the first goal in the win over the Czech Republic, while Orlando City’s Marko Pasalic scored the decisive goal.
The expected lineup for the Spain vs. Croatia match
Spain: Unai Simon, Marc Popil, Pau Couparsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal
Croatia: Dominik Levakovic, Josip Stanisic, Luka Vuckovic, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Sučić, Petar Sučić, Franjo Ivanovic, Ante Budimir.
Statistics of the Spain and Croatia match and the format of the Nations League
- The last meeting between these two teams ended with a 3-0 victory for Spain in Berlin in the group stage of Euro 2024, but the previous two editions ended in a draw after 90 minutes.
- After a 0-0 draw in the Nations League final in Rotterdam in 2023, Spain won 5-4. It came two years after their 5-3 extra-time win in the Euro 2020 round of 16 in Copenhagen.
- Seven of the last 11 editions have seen Spain win, with Croatia’s last of the three being a 3-2 win in Maksimir in the First League in November 2018.
- Spain are unbeaten in normal time in their last 39 matches (W30 D9) since their 1-0 defeat by Colombia in a friendly match in London on 22 March 2024.
- This is the longest unbeaten streak ever, breaking the record of 37 matches by a European country, set by Italy between October 2018 and September 2021.
- La Roja are unbeaten in their last eight UEFA Nations League group stage matches away from home (5 wins, 3 draws), while their last eight matches have scored in all matches 39 goals.
- Bilic started Croatia’s only win in Spain, coming in the first ever meeting between the two teams when his side won 2-0 in a friendly match in Valencia in March 1994.
- Since then, Spain has beaten Croatia 3-1 in Seville in May 1999 and 6-0 in Elche in the UEFA Nations League in September 2018.
- Croatia is unbeaten away from home in five straight matches (W4) but has lost three of its last five away matches in Croatia (W2), scoring in each of its last seven such matches.
- Their win in Czechia ended a run of five winless matches (L3) outside Croatia in the UEFA Nations League, and they scored their first goal in such a match in over four hours and 55 minutes of football.
Where to watch the Spain-Croatia match: UEFA Nations League channel, broadcast live online
The match kicks off on Tuesday at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET/11:45 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Amazon Prime PPVwhich charges £2.49 per game.
For worldwide coverage, visit the UEFA website International broadcast list of the League of Nations.
Predict the result of the match between Spain and Croatia in the European Nations League
Spain
3 – 2
Croatia
Seven of the nine editions of this match this century have been tied after 90 minutes or decided by a goal. Spain’s performance against England showed they can continue to overcome tough opponents, but it is expected that Croatia – perhaps buoyed by the return of Bilic – can push them close again.
