Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Spain Aim to Secure Nations League Quarterfinals Against Croatia
Spain have won their first three games in the Nations League.
If they beat Croatia on Tuesday, they will earn a place in the quarterfinals.
The match will be played in Split.
Croatia are trying to recover after losing 7-0 to England.
Spain already beat Croatia 4-1 last week.
Spain’s coach may change some players because the team has had a tiring schedule.
Several players have also left Spain’s squad during the international break.
Lamine Yamal is expected to start.
Spain want to keep winning and finish the international window with a perfect record.
Spain can secure a Nations League quarterfinal place by beating Croatia in Split on Tuesday.
Spain have won all three opening group matches; victory would give them 12 points and leave Croatia on three.
Spain could secure a top-two finish without winning if England avoid defeat against the Czech Republic.
Croatia are seeking a response after losing 7-0 to England, while Spain beat them 4-1 in Seville last week.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to rotate amid a busy schedule and several squad departures.
- Who
- Spain and Croatia, coached by Luis de la Fuente and Slaven Bilic respectively.
- What
- Spain can secure a Nations League quarterfinal place with a win over Croatia.
- When
- Tuesday; the article does not specify a calendar date.
- Where
- Split, Croatia.
- Why
- A victory would give Spain 12 points from four matches and secure their qualification.
Spain's qualification push
Croatia's response
Match outlook
Spain's qualification push
Spain can book a quarterfinal place with a win and are seeking to preserve their perfect record.
Croatia's response
Croatia are aiming to bounce back from their 7-0 defeat to England and produce a much stronger performance.
Team preparation
Spain's qualification push
Spain may rotate players because of the demanding schedule and squad departures.
Croatia's response
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said his team must bring more energy and expected a physically demanding match.
- Spain's group record
- Three wins from three opening matches.
- Points after a Spain win
- Spain would have 12 points; Croatia would remain on three.
- Previous Spain-Croatia result
- Spain won 4-1 in Seville last week.
- Croatia's recent result
- Croatia lost 7-0 to England on Saturday.
- Spain's latest result
- Spain beat the Czech Republic 3-1 on Saturday.
- Squad changes
- Five Spain players left the squad during the international break; Fabian Ruiz also departed after becoming a father.
- Likely starter
- Lamine Yamal is expected to start for Spain.