Spain, the Nations League’s second-highest scorers, face a Croatia side with major defensive concerns in Group 3 of League A on Tuesday, as the September-October international break concludes at Split’s Poljud Stadium.
The match comes shortly after Spain’s 4-1 victory over Croatia on 29 September and the hosts’ record 7-0 defeat by England on Saturday.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice, while Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon also found the net as England inflicted Croatia’s heaviest defeat in men’s international football. It was also the first time Croatia had conceded five goals at home.
Thousands of schoolchildren allowed into the behind-closed-doors match left shocked, while Slaven Bilic apologised to the nation. Croatia have now lost consecutive matches and conceded 11 goals. They are third in League A Group 4, three points above the Czech Republic but level with second-placed England on three points.
Their 12 goals conceded make them the second-worst defensive side in the 2026-27 Nations League, with only San Marino having allowed more, at 14.
Spain, meanwhile, joined England among the teams to have scored at least 10 goals in the competition after beating 10-man Czech Republic in Oviedo. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after six minutes, before midfielders Rodri and Mikel Merino added further goals. Jiri Slajs replied for the hosts and Ladislav Krejci was sent off.
Luis de la Fuente’s side have won all three of their Nations League matches and lead Group 3. Their unbeaten run in all competitions has reached 41 games, with each of their past 10 matches ending in victory. Spain have also gone 16 consecutive Nations League games unbeaten, excluding penalty shoot-out defeats, the longest such run since the competition began in 2018.
They have won their past four meetings with Croatia, who have conceded at least twice in five of the teams’ past six encounters.
Croatia’s Nations League form is W-L-L and their overall form is W-W-L-W-L-L. Spain’s corresponding records are W-W-W and W-W-W-W-W-W.
Bilic has no new injury concerns, although Luka Vuskovic, Marko Pasalic, Josip Misic, Petar Sucic and Martin Pongracic are one booking away from suspension. Pongracic was not in Saturday’s squad, alongside Lovro Majer, Ante Budimir and Dion Drena Beljo, with four players omitted from the 23-man group. Luka Modric, substituted before the hour against England, is expected to make his 206th appearance.
Yamal and Alex Baena were withdrawn at half-time against the Czech Republic for tactical reasons, while Pau Cubarsi was rested. Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Alex Grimaldo are unavailable. De la Fuente made nine changes for the Czech Republic match and can rotate again.
Probable teams
Croatia: Livakovic; Smolcic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Ivanovic, Mario Pasalic, Vlasic; Matanovic.
Spain: Simon; Fresneda, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Lopez, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Munoz.
Spain’s win and under 4.5 goals is priced at 1.61, Mikel Oyarzabal to score at 2.00, and Yamal to assist and Spain to win at 2.62. Croatia should improve after Saturday’s humiliation, but Spain are expected to maintain their perfect record.
