Croatia 1-2 Spain
Updated
Spain won: Croatia 1-2 Spain in the Nations League (Round 4) on Tue, 6 Oct 2026 at Stadion Poljud, Split. Croatia goals: Ivan Perišić 17'. Spain goals: Mikel Merino 61', Mikel Merino 88'. Sent off: Ivan Perišić (79'). Expected goals: 1.02-1.15. Possession: 28-72. Player of the match: Mikel Merino (8.6).
Match report
Spain beat Croatia 2-1
Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 away from home at Stadion Poljud on Tuesday 6 October in the Nations League.
Ivan Perišić put Croatia ahead on 17' (1-0), Mikel Merino levelled for Spain on 61' (1-1) and added another on 88' (1-2).
Mikel Merino's 88' strike proved decisive.
Ivan Perišić (Croatia) was sent off on 79'.
Croatia had 28% of the ball, shots were 10-10 (5-3 on target) and expected goals finished 1.02-1.15.
Mikel Merino (Spain) was player of the match with an 8.6 rating.
Attendance: 32,690. Referee: Erik Lambrechts.
Match stats
| Croatia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 28 | 72 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.02 | 1.15 |
| Total shots | 10 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 3 |
| Touches in opposition box | 14 | 27 |
| Big chances | 4 | 4 |
| Big chances missed | 3 | 3 |
| Accurate passes | 231 (77%) | 696 (90%) |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 2 |
| Corners | 3 | 6 |
| Total shots | 10 | 10 |
| Shots off target | 3 | 3 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 3 |
| Blocked shots | 2 | 4 |
| Hit woodwork | 0 | 0 |
| Shots inside box | 9 | 7 |
Lineups
Croatia (4-5-1): Dominik Livaković, Josip Stanišić, Josip Šutalo, Luka Vušković, Joško Gvardiol, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Modrić, Kristijan Jakić, Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Perišić, Igor Matanović
Spain (4-3-3): Unai Simón, Marc Pubill, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Álex Baena
Key events
- 14' · Yellow card · Slaven Bilić (Croatia)
- 17' · Goal · Ivan Perišić (Croatia)
- 22' · Yellow card · Ivan Perišić (Croatia)
- 46' · Substitution · Mikel Merino for Álex Baena (Spain)
- 61' · Goal · Mikel Merino (Spain)
- 65' · Substitution · Dion Drena Beljo for Igor Matanović (Croatia)
- 65' · Substitution · Petar Sučić for Luka Modrić (Croatia)
- 65' · Yellow card · Luka Modrić (Croatia)
- 66' · Yellow card · Rodri (Spain)
- 71' · Substitution · Martín Zubimendi for Rodri (Spain)
- 71' · Substitution · Fermín López for Dani Olmo (Spain)
- 71' · Substitution · Martin Baturina for Nikola Vlašić (Croatia)
- 78' · Substitution · Víctor Muñoz for Lamine Yamal (Spain)
- 79' · Red card · Ivan Perišić (Croatia)
- 87' · Substitution · Yéremi Pino for Pedri (Spain)
- 87' · Substitution · Mario Pašalić for Mateo Kovačić (Croatia)
- 88' · Goal · Mikel Merino (Spain)
- 90'+2 · Yellow card · Víctor Muñoz (Spain)
All-time head-to-head
Questions
Who won Croatia vs Spain?
Spain won, 1-2 (Nations League) on Tue, 6 Oct 2026.
When and where is Croatia vs Spain?
Tue, 6 Oct 2026, 18:45 UTC at Stadion Poljud, Split, Nations League.