Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Merino Brace Leads Spain Past Croatia Into Nations League Quarters
Spain played Croatia in a Nations League match in Split on Tuesday.
Croatia scored first through Ivan Perisic.
Spain’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon, made several saves to stop Croatia scoring again.
Mikel Merino came on at halftime and scored to make it 1-1.
Croatia’s Perisic was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Merino scored again near the end of the game.
Spain won 2-1 and reached the quarterfinals.
The victory also kept Spain’s unbeaten run going to 42 matches.
Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split on Tuesday.
Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 20th minute.
Mikel Merino scored in the 60th and 88th minutes after entering at halftime.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon made several important saves to keep Spain in the match.
The win gave Spain four victories from four group matches and a place in the quarterfinals.
- Who
- Spain and Croatia, with Mikel Merino scoring twice for Spain.
- What
- Spain came from behind to win 2-1 and secure a place in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.
- When
- Tuesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Split.
- Why
- The victory gave Spain four wins from four group matches and confirmed its quarterfinal place.
- Final score
- Spain 2-1 Croatia
- Venue
- Split
- Croatia's goal
- Ivan Perisic scored in the 20th minute.
- Spain's goals
- Mikel Merino scored in the 60th and 88th minutes.
- Sending-off
- Ivan Perisic received a second yellow card in the 79th minute.
- Group record
- Spain won all four of its group matches.
- Unbeaten run
- The win extended Spain's unbeaten run to 42 matches.