Merino's late double seals Spain's comeback over Croatia and a Nations League quarter-final spot
Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice as Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split, making it four wins from four in Nations League Group A3.
Spain are into the Nations League quarter-finals after Mikel Merino’s second-half double turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Stadion Poljud on Tuesday night.
The hosts struck first through Ivan Perišić, who headed home a 17th-minute rebound after Unai Simón could only parry Igor Matanović’s effort. Croatia then had chances to double the lead, but Perišić was denied again by Simón before being dismissed for a second yellow card following a challenge on Marc Cucurella.
The turning point came at half-time. Merino, introduced as a substitute, needed just 16 minutes of the second half to level: after Josip Stanišić’s headed clearance was intercepted, Dani Olmo fed the Arsenal midfielder, who finished with a left-footed strike past Dominik Livaković.
With Croatia down to ten, Spain pressed for the win — and Merino delivered late. Martín Zubimendi teed him up and Merino rifled an unstoppable left-footed effort home for his second of the night.
The result makes it four wins from four for the reigning world champions, who are firmly in charge of Group A3 and have sealed a place in the last eight. It was also Spain’s first away victory in Croatia at the third attempt.
For Croatia, it is a second straight defeat after Saturday’s 7-0 humiliation by England — their heaviest-ever loss.
Sources:
- Flashscore: https://www.flashscore.com.au/news/soccer-nations-league-croatia-spain-report-october-6-2026/CAnxf53s/
- VAVEL live score (Croatia vs Spain, Nations League): https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2026/10/06/1274084-croatia-vs-spain-live-score-nations-league.html
- The Times live blog (match coverage, 6 October 2026)
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