Spain arrives in Croatia on Tuesday with the chance to make it four victories from four in the UEFA Nations League, and it does so carrying the memory of a 4-1 win in the reverse fixture. Lamine Yamal was central to that result, scoring twice and adding an assist as Spain took control of the matchup early and never let go.
That is why Croatia vs Spain is drawing attention again now. Spain has won all three of its UEFA Nations League matches, scored three or more goals in each one and extended its winning run in all competitions to 10 matches, yet it has still not kept a clean sheet in the competition. The perfect record makes Spain look sharp; the missing shutout leaves a small opening that Croatia will try to use.
Croatia comes into the final game of the international window after allowing 12 goals across three matches, a run that included a 7-0 loss to England at home. Under Slaven Bilić, Croatia has already managed only a narrow win over Czechia and a defeat to Spain, a start that has done little to slow the slide. The numbers explain the pressure better than any speech could.
The meeting is also a repeat of the 2022–23 Nations League final, when Spain won on penalties after 120 minutes of goalless action. This time, Spain has looked far more open in front of goal, while Croatia has looked increasingly exposed at the back. If that pattern holds on Tuesday, Spain should leave with its perfect Group 3 of League A campaign intact, and Croatia will be left searching for a response that has not yet arrived.
