Croatia 1-2 Spain: Merino brace seals Nations League quarters for world champions

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice as world champions Spain fought back from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League and reach the quarter-finals.

Coach Luis de la Fuente’s side went into this game looking to record another win in their long unbeaten run, but they fell behind in the 17th minute when Ivan Perisic headed in the rebound after Unai Simon had saved Igor Matanovic’s effort. Croatia, thrashed 7-0 by England in their previous fixture, produced a much-improved first-half display and earned a standing ovation at the break in Split.

Spain were stronger after the interval. Merino, introduced at half-time in place of Alex Baena, levelled in the 61st minute when Dani Olmo collected a loose clearance and picked him out for a calm left-footed finish into the bottom corner. Lamine Yamal saw a goalbound shot blocked as the visitors pressed, before Perisic was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Marc Cucurella.

That dismissal proved costly. Two minutes from time Merino latched on to a fine ball from Arsenal team-mate Martin Zubimendi, controlled it superbly on the turn and sent a brilliant strike beyond Dominik Livakovic to seal the points. Spain sit top of League A Group 3 with four wins from four and have already secured their place in the last eight with two games to spare.