Mikel Merino turns the deficit around as Perisic sees red

Spain secured a late victory on Tuesday evening in the Nations League away at Croatia, turning around Luis de la Fuente's side's deficit at halftime and winning 1‑2. The result also strengthens their position in the group stage.

Spain dominated possession from the first minute, but Croatia produced the first real danger. After thirteen minutes, goalkeeper Unai Simón had to make a spectacular save from a header by Josip Stanisic.

Croatia opens with Perisic’s header

A minute later the ball found the Dutch goalkeeper and a shot was fired on goal. In the next Croatian attack the ball reached the net, where Ivan Perisic reacted quickly and headed the 1‑0 home.

Croatia remained dangerous after the opening goal. Igor Matanovic forced Unai Simón to make a save in the seventeenth minute and six minutes later created another excellent chance, which the Spanish keeper denied with a spectacular intervention.

Spain beat Croatia in Split as Sucic rests after his debut

Despite their dominance, Spain struggled to create chances. Lamine Yamal saw a shot blocked after more than half an hour, Dani Olmo shot from distance over the bar shortly before halftime, and Mikel Oyarzabal missed a header that fell into the hands of Dominik Livakovic. At halftime Luis de la Fuente brought on substitute Mikel Merino for Álex Baena.

Merino’s double turns the match

Spain then sought the attack more aggressively and after 52 minutes seemed about to claim a penalty; referee Erik Lambrechts reviewed the situation on the VAR screen, but did not award a penalty. In the 61st minute Dani Olmo found Merino in the penalty area; the substitute calmly shot to the left‑bottom corner and made it 1‑1.

Merino's second‑half brace propels Spain into Nations League quarter‑finals

Ten minutes later coach Fermín brought Martín Zubimendi onto the field, but the match turned definitively in the final phase. Ivan Perisic, who already had a yellow card, committed another foul in the eightieth minute, received his second yellow card, and the VAR confirmed the red card. Thanks to the numerical advantage, Merino was the quickest to react to a pass from Martín Zubimendi and struck convincingly into the top corner for 1‑2.