Spain vs Croatia, player ratings: Yamal brace extends La Roja winning run

Lamine Yamal also provided an assist along with his two goals. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Lamine Yamal continued his red-hot form with a brace to help Spain ease past Croatia 4-1 in the latest round of fixtures of the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.

With the win, the world champion extended its winning run to 40 matches. Spain’s first home game since lifting the World Cup in July was preceded by Rodri parading the trophy ‌on the pitch and the celebrations continued in Seville when Lamine, just as he did against England, opened the scoring in the second minute.

Alex Baena’s ‌ball into the area was dummied by Fermin Lopez and Lamine curled a first-time ‌low ⁠shot inside the far post.

Baena then had an effort parried away by ⁠Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic as Spain looked set to put the game out of reach early on but the visitor drew level through Dion Beljo’s 28th-minute header.

Spain took less than three minutes to retake the lead. Lamine ​whipped a cross into the six-yard box ‌from the right wing and Marc Pubill powered a header beyond Livakovic.

Lamine scored his second and Spain’s third in the 63rd minute, collecting Pedri’s pass in the box before drilling his shot into the net from a tight angle and substitute Nico Williams ‌wrapped up the win with an 89th-minute goal.

Player Ratings

Spain: Unai Simon (7.3), Marc Pubill (8.6), Pau Cubarsi (7.7), Dean Huijsen (7.2), Marc Cucurella (7.4), Fabian Ruiz (7.2), Martin Zubimendi (7.4), Alex Baena (7.7), Fermin Lopez (7.5), Lamine Yamal (9.3), Mikel Oyarzabal (6.5)

Subs: Mikel Merino (7.1), Pedri (7.4), Nico Williams (7.3), Rodri (6.6), Victor Munoz (6.2)

Croatia: Dominik Livakovic (5.2), Josko Gvardiol (5.4), Marin Pongracic (5.5), Josip Sutalo (5.4), Ivan Smolcic (5.5), Mateo Kovacic (6.0), Josip Misic (6.0), Ivan Perisic (7.5), Petar Sucic (6.9), Marco Pasalic (7.3), Dion Drena Beljo (7.1)

Subs: Luka Vuskovic (6.9), Maripo Pasalic (6.0), Ante Budimir (5.7), Franjo Ivanovic (6.7), Luka Modric (5.5)

(With inputs from Reuters)

Published on Sep 30, 2026

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