Spain remains unbeaten and eyes the top spot in the Nations League
The Spanish national team, without an official defeat since March 2023, beat the Czech Republic in Prague and remains one step away from leading its Nations League group, with a penalty goal by Baena and another by Pubill, consolidating its run of 43 matches without loss and smashing Guinness records of unbeatenness.
Photographer Martin Divisek of the EFE agency described the feat as a “savage” that counts from 1 to 43.
Goal of leadership and next challenge
On Sunday, Spain will face England at the Metropolitano, looking to seal qualification and gain home advantage in the quarter‑finals. The night in Prague was very cold and, despite the qualifying cushion and the absences, the team ran the risk of dropping the pace.
Spanish dominance and tactical obstacles
Conceding is not part of the national team’s vocabulary, which defines itself by always playing with the same attitude. However, the absence of several players, starting with Lamine, left a feeling of lack at the start. De la Fuente made up to seven changes compared with his last assignment, bringing in five new faces since the World Cup final. Injuries, illnesses and paternity leaves accumulated during the break, forcing a lineup without pretensions. Still, the team ran and dominated as usual, showing that it still has abundant quality. On the flank, the dispute between De la Fuente and the fourth official would have deserved a separate chronicle.
Match closing and consequences
The Czech Republic kept its new philosophy, imposed by Santi Denia, which prioritises ball possession and rejects traditional physical football. Only a header by Huijsen from a corner frightened Kovar after more than half an hour of play. That scant baggage proved insufficient for a world champion. Spain arrived without danger, but lacked quality in the final metres and some clarity, perhaps affected by the Czech cold. A play that went unnoticed started the scoring, but the ball went out and the referee stopped the match. The VAR reviewed a possible penalty that nobody saw, although the footage clearly showed Ambros’s hand. The gift resulted in a penalty taken by Baena, who scored with a powerful curled shot. That goal gave confidence to the team of De la Fuente, which accelerated the circulation and enjoyed luxury minutes in the first half.
Álex Baena opens the scoring and Pubill seals the win in Prague
The best play of the night saw the ball cross from side to side among all the Spanish players, ending with a shot from Fabián that hit the post. Coming out of the dressing room, Unai Simón connected with Yeremy Pino and the Crystal Palace player beat Kovar. The goal would have paved the way for the red, but the VAR ruled it out for off‑side, citing the off‑side law. The decision baffled De la Fuente, whose team lived its worst moments.
The Czechs, thanks to their aerial power, put pressure on Unai Simón with throw‑ins and corners from the near post. Krejci was sent off and left the bench area. A challenge on Roberto had to be reviewed again by the VAR, as Dabanovic also froze up.
Spain did not control the match completely, although it had chances to settle it and also suffered scares. Pubill scored the second goal before the end, taking advantage of another gift from the Czechs. With the victory, Spain has learned to count to 43.
In the Czech lineup Kovar started; Coufal, Zima, Krejci and Jurasek; Cerv (Soucek, 85'), Kral; Ambros (Vlcek, 76'), Hlozek (Kabongo, 85'), Provod (Subert, 66') and Naderi (Hopi, 66'). Spain lined up Unai Simón; Pedro Porro (Pubill, 76'), Huijsen, Cubarsí and Cucurella; Zubimendi, Fabián (Pedri, 76'), Baena, Fermín (Jorge de Frutos, 82'), Yeremy Pino (Mikel Merino, 66') and Ferran Torres (Roberto Fernández, 66').