Spain, Croatia and Mikel Merino
6 October 2026
Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split and secure their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Mikel Merino scored both second-half goals after Ivan Perisic had given Croatia an early lead.
Merino equalised in the 61st minute before scoring the winner late on after Croatia were reduced to 10 men following Perisic’s second yellow card. Spain completed four wins from four and moved onto a maximum 12 points.