Lamine Yamal Stars as Spain Beat Czechia in Nations League

Spain strengthened their position at the summit of Nations League Group 3 with a 3-1 win over Czechia in Oviedo, where Lamine Yamal again made an immediate impact. The 19-year-old winger bent in the opening goal after six minutes before Rodri and Mikel Merino added further goals to secure the result.

Spain make another fast start

Yamal’s early strike was his third successive opening goal for Spain, continuing a run that has underlined his growing influence in Luis de la Fuente’s side. Spain established the initiative quickly against Czechia and converted that momentum into a ninth point from their first three group fixtures.

• Spain beat Czechia 3-1 in Oviedo.
• Yamal scored in the sixth minute.
• Rodri and Mikel Merino also found the net.
• Spain lead Group 3 on nine points.
• Czechia are bottom of the section without a point.

The victory also preserved Spain’s 41-match unbeaten sequence as they prepare for their next test away from home.

De la Fuente highlights Yamal’s development

De la Fuente said Yamal’s rapid progress continues to impress the Spain staff, describing the forward as a player with exceptional scope for further improvement. The coach believes the winger’s maturity and willingness to attack opponents reflects the identity Spain want to show from the first whistle.

“He keeps surprising us,” De la Fuente said. “He has enormous talent and so many possibilities, and he is progressing in huge steps. Lamine is on the path towards becoming a legend.”

The Spain manager linked Yamal’s run of early goals to the broader mindset within the squad, adding: “His early goals in the past three matches show the attitude of the whole team. We want to impose our identity in every game from the start.”

Croatia await after England rout

Spain travel to Croatia on October 6 holding a three-point advantage over second-placed England. However, De la Fuente expects Croatia to respond forcefully after their extraordinary 7-0 defeat to England in Rijeka.

He described Croatia’s concession of seven goals as highly unusual, even against an England team he considered powerful. Rather than treating the result as a sign of weakness, De la Fuente warned that it could provide Spain’s next opponents with added determination.

“It is very strange, certainly not normal, that Croatia have conceded seven in the other group match,” he said. “When we go there, they will have wounded pride and extra motivation.”

Group 3 position

Spain will now look to reproduce the sharp, high-energy opening that has become a feature of their recent performances, while protecting both their group lead and their long unbeaten run in Croatia.