Merino's Late Double Sends Spain Past Croatia and Into Nations League Quarter-Finals

Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice as Spain defeated Croatia 2-1 in Split on Tuesday, securing their place in the Nations League quarter-finals with two group matches still to play. The result maintains Spain's remarkable unbeaten run, which now stands at 42 consecutive matches without defeat, and keeps them three points clear of England at the top of Group A3.

Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, but Merino's second-half introduction changed the complexion of the contest. The Arsenal midfielder equalised in the 61st minute before striking the winner with just two minutes remaining, underlining once again his reputation as a decisive impact substitute for Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

The match represented a significant test of character for Croatia, who were humiliated 7-0 by England on Saturday in a fixture played in front of a crowd composed largely of children after home supporters were banned from attending due to racist behaviour. Slaven Bilic's side arrived in Split determined to restore pride in front of their own fans, and for much of the first half they succeeded in doing so.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was busy early on, producing a fine save to deny Josip Stanisic's header as Luka Modric and his teammates impressed with their intensity and pressing. The hosts' bright start was rewarded when Simon parried Igor Matanovic's shot, only for Perisic to react fastest and head home the rebound, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Simon's distribution then nearly gifted Croatia a second goal. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper played a loose pass towards Aymeric Laporte inside his own penalty area, allowing Croatia to intercept and carve out another opportunity. The Freiburg striker Matanovic was again denied by Simon, who atoned for his error with a crucial stop.

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal had a chance to level early in the second half when he raced through on goal, but the Barcelona winger went down after nudging the ball past his club teammate and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, and no penalty was forthcoming.

De la Fuente's decision to introduce Merino at half-time proved inspired. The midfielder, who has developed a habit of delivering in crucial moments for his country, levelled the score in the 61st minute with a composed low finish after being set up by Dani Olmo, a player who spent part of his youth development in Croatia.

Croatia's hopes of holding on for a draw suffered a major blow with ten minutes remaining when Perisic, the goalscorer and one of the hosts' most experienced campaigners, was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Marc Cucurella. The dismissal left Croatia to navigate the closing stages with ten men against the reigning World Cup winners.

Merino capitalised on the numerical advantage in the 88th minute, producing a superb turn to create space before blasting an emphatic finish past Livakovic. It was his second goal of the night and further evidence of his value to a Spain squad blessed with considerable depth across every position.

The victory extends a staggering sequence for Spain, who have not lost a competitive fixture since the 2022 World Cup. Their dominance in Group A3 has been so complete that qualification for the knockout phase has been achieved with matches against England and Croatia still to come, a testament to the consistency De la Fuente has instilled since taking charge.

For Croatia, the defeat leaves their qualification prospects in serious jeopardy. Bilic, who took over as coach amid considerable expectation, now faces the difficult task of lifting his players for the remaining fixtures. The heavy loss to England and this late surrender against Spain have exposed defensive frailties and a lack of composure in decisive moments.

Perisic's dismissal will also be a concern, with the veteran winger's experience and leadership qualities essential to Croatia's ambitions. His absence, whether through suspension or loss of form, would leave a significant void in a squad that is already navigating a period of transition following the retirements of several key figures from Croatia's golden generation.

Spain's ability to call upon a player of Merino's calibre from the bench speaks volumes about the talent at De la Fuente's disposal. The former Real Sociedad midfielder has now delivered crucial goals in both the Nations League and at the World Cup, reinforcing his status as one of the most effective substitutes in European football.

The result also raises questions about Croatia's ability to compete with the continent's elite nations. While Modric remains a formidable presence in midfield, the supporting cast has struggled to match the standards set during Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final. Bilic will need to find solutions quickly if his side is to avoid a group-stage exit.

Spain, meanwhile, march on with confidence. Their unbeaten run stands as one of the longest in international football history, and the manner of this victory—recovering from a deficit away from home against a proud footballing nation—demonstrates the resilience that has become a hallmark of De la Fuente's tenure. With the quarter-finals now secured, Spain can look forward to the knockout stages with genuine optimism.