Spain vs Czechia player ratings — Yamal on target as world champion eases to victory

Lamine Yamal scored for Spain against Czechia. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Lamine Yamal found the back of the net again as Spain eased to a 3-1 win over Czechia in their UEFA Nations League 2026-27 match on Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who is tipped as one of the main contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or, opened the scoring with a delightful finish, curling into the top corner after finding some space in the penalty.

Rodri doubled the lead by arriving late in the box and drilling a thumping shot into the back of the net.

Czechia pulled a goal back through Jiri Slama, who finished across David Raya after being played through Adam Hlozek, and seemed momentarily likely to equalise.

Raya was fortunate not to punished for a misplaced pass, while Ryan Naderi found the back of the net only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul on Robin Le Normand.

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However, the pressure was relieved by Ladislav Krejci’s dismissal for pulling back Roberto Fernandez, and Mikel Merino sealed the result with minutes to go.

Spain is now three points clear of second-place England, which thumped Croatia 7-0 on Saturday, in A3.

Spain vs Czechia player ratings

Spain: Raya (6.1), Fresneda (7.3), Le Normand (7.2), Laporte (7.1), Garcia (8.1), Rodri (8.2), Pedri (7.9), Yamal (7.6), Olmo (7.8), Baena (7.3), Fernandez (7.1); Subs: Pino (6.7), Munoz (6.6), Fermin (6.5), Merino (7.3), Zubimendi (6.1).

Czechia: Kinsky (7.2), Slama (7), Krejci (5), Chaloupek (5.7), Sacek (6.1), Lingr (5.9), Macek (6.1), Kral (6.2), Radosta (6.2), Hlozek (7.8), Ambros (6.6); Subs: Cerv (6.1), Don Naderi (6.3), Sadilek (6.2), Bucha (6).