Substitute Mikel Merino inspired world champions Spain to come from behind against hosts Croatia and reach the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, scoring twice in a 2–1 victory on Tuesday in Group C. Meanwhile, record-setting captain Harry Kane celebrated by matching Peter Shilton’s appearance record and leading England to a 3–0 win over Czechia.
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In Split, Croatia, who were coming off a humiliating 0–7 defeat by England in the previous round, appeared on course to end Spain’s 42-match unbeaten run.
However, the world champions turned the match around through Merino to secure their fourth win in four matches and seal the group’s first quarter-final spot with their 11th consecutive victory, stretching back to the second round of the group stage at the 2026 World Cup.
Spain secured qualification after moving to 12 points, ahead of England on nine and Croatia on three. England defeated bottom-placed Czechia 3–0.
With England set to face Croatia in the fifth and penultimate round, their quarter-final qualification has not yet been officially confirmed under the head-to-head rule. However, the seven-goal margin they recorded against Luka Modrić’s side appears sufficient even if they lose their final two matches against Croatia and Spain.
Croatia, meanwhile, continued their decline following their heavy defeat by England in the previous round and a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, which ended with a 2–1 defeat to Portugal in the round of 32.
The 2018 World Cup runners-up and 2022 semi-finalists have managed just one win, a 2–1 victory away to Czechia, alongside two defeats to Spain and another loss to England.
In Split, Croatia made a strong start against Spain. After a first warning came in the 13th minute when Josip Stanišić’s dangerous header was saved by Unai Simón, Ivan Perišić opened the scoring with a header in the 17th minute.
Luis de la Fuente’s side responded strongly and created several chances, most notably a header by Mikel Oyarzabal in the 45th minute and a shot from Lamine Yamal a minute later, but they failed to equalize before halftime.
Spain continued their intense pressure at the start of the second half and finally found the net through substitute Merino, who fired a well-placed low shot in the 61st minute.
Croatia were reduced to 10 men after Perišić was sent off in the 79th minute, before Merino stunned the hosts with a late second goal in the 88th minute.
Kane delivers on a special night
England also took a major step toward reaching the quarter-finals with a 3–0 victory over visiting Czechia, thanks to their record-setting captain Kane.
At Wembley Stadium in London, England secured their third consecutive victory, following an opening home defeat to Spain (2–3).
Tuesday’s match was particularly significant for Kane, who equalled the record for appearances for England held by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990.
Kane made his England debut against Lithuania in 2015 and scored just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Since then, he has rarely experienced prolonged scoring droughts with the Three Lions.
Speaking to ITV before the match about playing at Wembley, Kane said: “It’s always special... It’s a special night. I remember making my England debut and feeling like I had been waiting a long time to get onto the pitch, and then the moment came exactly as I had dreamed it would.”
“It was the beginning of something special and a great moment for me. I’m fortunate to have represented [England] this much.”
The 33-year-old already holds the record for most goals for England and extended his tally on Tuesday to 91 after scoring twice for the second consecutive match. He now has six goals in four group matches.
England made four changes from their match against Croatia, while Czechia made seven compared with their previous-round defeat to Spain. The Three Lions dominated from the outset and came close to opening the scoring when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček in the fifth minute.
Despite several attempts, the deadlock remained until the 27th minute, when Kane delivered a cross from the right. Defender Vladimír Coufal attempted to intercept it but inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
Kane then doubled England’s lead in the 40th minute with a header from Morgan Rogers’ cross before the Bayern Munich striker added his second and England’s third in the 57th minute from a pass by Lewis Hall.
AFP
