Spain 3-1 Czechia: Yamal and Rodri Keep Perfect Nations League Run
Spain maintained their perfect run with a 3-1 victory over Czechia in Oviedo, overcoming a brief second-half wobble through the same control that defined their opening hour. Lamine Yamal struck inside six minutes, Rodri added a second before the break and substitute Mikel Merino settled the contest in the 89th minute after Jirí Sláma had given the visitors hope.
Spain’s early control established the result
Luis de la Fuente’s side imposed themselves immediately, using possession to pin Czechia deep and create space between the lines. Dani Olmo was central to that start, finding Yamal for the opening goal in the sixth minute. The teenager finished with confidence and repeatedly troubled the Czech defence before being withdrawn at half-time.
Spain’s second arrived in the 35th minute, when Rodri finished to give the home side a two-goal cushion. The midfielder again dictated the rhythm from the base of midfield, combining his goal with a dominant influence over Spain’s circulation before Martín Zubimendi replaced him in the 77th minute.
Czechia struggled to make sustained progress against the Spanish high line. Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand dealt assertively with potential breaks, while full-backs Fran García and Iván Fresneda gave Spain balance either side of the central defenders. David Raya had little to do for most of the evening, facing only two efforts on target.
Key moments in Oviedo
- 6th minute: Olmo supplied Yamal, who put Spain ahead.
- 35th minute: Rodri doubled Spain’s advantage before half-time.
- 46th minute: Yéremy Pino and Víctor Muñoz came on for Álex Baena and Yamal.
- 67th minute: Merino and Fermín López entered as Pedri and Olmo made way.
- 69th minute: Sláma reduced the deficit for Czechia.
- Later in the second half: Ladislav Krejcí received a second yellow card as Czechia pursued an equaliser.
- 89th minute: Merino converted after Muñoz’s involvement in the move to restore Spain’s two-goal margin.
A second-half response, but no loss of command
Spain were less sharp after the interval and Sláma’s 69th-minute goal briefly changed the mood. Raya was given little chance by the finish, and Czechia were able to press higher for a spell. Their recovery was undermined when Krejcí was dismissed, however, leaving the visitors a player short for the closing stages.
De la Fuente’s changes ultimately decided the finish. Muñoz tested Antonín Kinsky in the 88th minute, then helped create the next decisive attack. Merino, on for Pedri in the 67th minute, arrived in the area to score Spain’s third in the final minute of normal time.
Fermín López, who replaced Olmo, contributed to Spain’s possession management during Czechia’s strongest period but was booked for simulation in stoppage time. Zubimendi took over from Rodri and protected the central areas as Spain closed out the match.
Midfield volume and wide pressure told
| Match figure | Spain |
|---|---|
| Possession | 69% |
| Passes completed/attempted | 766 passes recorded |
| Shots | 18 |
| Czechia shots on target faced by Raya | 2 |
Baena was particularly active before his half-time substitution, forcing Kinsky into three first-half saves. Pedri connected effectively with Yamal and regularly escaped pressure, although Spain did not always produce the final pass his approach play promised. Up front, R. Fernández was denied with a dangerous effort in the 49th minute, but his movement helped open space for the late third goal.
Key takeaways
- Yamal and Rodri supplied the goals that gave Spain command before the interval.
- Olmo’s work between Czechia’s midfield and defence was decisive in the fast start, including the assist for Yamal.
- Spain’s 69% possession and 766 passes reflected their territorial superiority despite Sláma’s second-half strike.
- Muñoz and Merino made direct contributions from the bench, validating De la Fuente’s proactive substitutions.
- Laporte and Le Normand limited Czechia’s attacking threat, while Raya was tested only twice on target.
