Lamine Yamal Stars as Spain Thrash Croatia 4-1 in Seville

Spain moved to the summit of Group 3 with a 4-1 win over Croatia in Seville, driven by Lamine Yamal’s two goals and an assist. Álex Baena set up the early opener, Marc Pubill restored Spain’s lead after Croatia had levelled, and Nico Williams completed the scoring late on.

What changed for Spain

Yamal gave the home side a fast start, finishing Baena’s pass in the second minute. Croatia responded in the 28th minute when Dion Drena Beljo headed in after Ivan Perisic created the opening, but the equaliser did not alter Spain’s control for long.

Pubill put Spain back ahead three minutes later, arriving to head Yamal’s corner past the Croatia goalkeeper. Mikel Oyarzabal then had a goal disallowed for offside in the 36th minute, while Fermin Lopez struck the post shortly before half-time.

The decisive third goal came in the 63rd minute. Pedri, introduced after 57 minutes in place of Fabian Ruiz, supplied Yamal, who scored for a second time. Nico Williams replaced the booked Baena in the 68th minute and added the fourth in the 89th, converting Mikel Merino’s assist.

• Marc Pubill combined an attacking goal with a strong defensive contribution from right-back.
• Pau Cubarsi and Dean Huijsen dealt with Beljo’s physical presence after Spain conceded, while Marc Cucurella supported the attack without allowing Croatia much space on the break.
• Martin Zubimendi anchored the midfield until Rodri took over in the 72nd minute and assumed the captaincy.
• Victor Muñoz replaced Yamal in the 68th minute and went close with a header.

Competition context

The result leaves Spain first in Group 3 after a performance in which they held 63.7% possession and restricted Croatia to two attempts on target. Luis de la Fuente’s side recovered quickly from Beljo’s equaliser and kept Croatia under sustained pressure through the second half.

Yamal was the central figure, not only scoring twice but also delivering the corner from which Pubill headed Spain’s second. Baena was influential before his substitution, creating the opening goal and repeatedly testing Croatia’s defensive shape from the attacking midfield areas.

Spain’s changes also had a direct impact. Pedri produced the pass for Yamal’s second, Merino created Williams’ late finish, and Williams added energy against a tiring defence. De la Fuente had selected a youthful central-defensive pairing in Cubarsi and Huijsen, with Unai Simon largely untroubled beyond Croatia’s goal.

What is scheduled next

No subsequent Group 3 fixture or squad announcement was specified following the match. Spain will carry a leading position in the group into their next international assignment, with Yamal, Pubill and the substitutes who influenced the second half having strengthened their claims within De la Fuente’s plans.