Lamine Yamal opens scoring as Nations League heats up in Seville
On 29/09/2026, at 20:45, the Seville stadium hosts the Nations League match between Spain and Croatia, refereed by Serdar Gözübüyük. The Direct match report indicates that Lamine Yamal scored the first goal in the first minute, assisted by Álex Baena.
Decisive first minute
In the first minute, Yamal, left-footed shot, finds the back of the net after a decisive pass from Álex Baena. This goal immediately puts Spain in the lead and sets the tone for the duel.
Opportunities and free kicks before halftime
After the goal, both teams multiply their attempts. In the third minute, Marc Cucurella attempts a left-footed shot, stopped by the Croatian goalkeeper. In the sixth minute, Croatia win a corner, conceded by Ivan Smolcic. In the eighth minute, Álex Baena sees his right-footed shot saved, followed by a free kick awarded to Dean Huijsen in the ninth minute.
In the eleventh minute, Spain benefit from another free kick, this time for Dean Huijsen. Two minutes later, Pau Cubarsí, right-footed, shoots from outside the box but sees his shot blocked. In the twelfth minute, Josko Gvardiol wins a free kick on the left wing for Croatia.
Yamal's show in Seville tilts Spain toward Nations League win
Defence and cards
In the seventeenth minute, Marin Pongracic receives a yellow card for dangerous play. The same interval sees Croatia being awarded a free kick in their half of the pitch, while the Spanish half of the pitch suffers several fouls, including an offside by Álex Baena in the fifteenth minute.
Line‑ups and absences
The announced squads show Spain in a 4‑2‑3‑1: Unai Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena. Croatia also line up in a 4‑2‑3‑1: Livaković; Smolcic, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Perišić; Misic, Sutalo, Kovacic; Sucic, Beljo, Pasalic. Martin Baturina is absent from Croatia’s starting eleven, relegated to the bench.
Key statistics
The statistics table shows possession of 70 % for Spain versus 30 % for Croatia. Passes total 514, of which 68 % are successful for the Spanish and 32 % for the Croatians. Shots on target amount to seven, while shots off target remain at zero.
Yamal breaks historic records as Spain dominate in Seville
The match ends at the 90th minute without another goal, Spain maintaining its 1‑0 lead. DIRECT commentary highlights Spain’s early domination and Croatia’s defensive solidity despite the card given to Marin Pongracic.