EXPLAINER
Approaching the again of a 10-match successful streak, Spain face Croatia with sights on the Nations League quarterfinals.
Who: Croatia vs Spain
What: UEFA Nations League 2026-27, Group A3 match
The place: Stadion Poljud, Break up, Croatia
When: Tuesday, October 6, at 8:45pm native time (18:45 GMT)
comply with: Al Jazeera Sport will deliver you all of the build-up and stay updates from 15:45 GMT.
FIFA World Cup holders Spain can affirm their ticket to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals once they face Croatia on their journey to Break up.
Advisable Tales
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With an ideal document within the event and an total 41-match unbeaten streak, the percentages swing closely in Spain’s favour to clinch victory.
La Roja’s assault has been on fireplace this time period – they’ve netted 10 targets from seven scorers in three video games, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal main the scoring charts.
In contrast to Spain, Croatia’s efficiency has been removed from exemplary, with Luka Modric’s facet struggling their heaviest defeat in historical past within the final fixture.
Earlier than the conflict of generations 2.0 between Yamal and Modric, Al Jazeera breaks down the whole lot you want to know:
What’s the UEFA Nations League?
The UEFA Nations League was based in 2018 to cut back the variety of meaningless friendlies and provides nations aggressive matches towards equally ranked groups.
On this competitors, international locations from throughout Europe take part in a league construction, which options promotion and relegation.
How does the UEFA Nations League work?
The groups compete throughout 4 divisions, going through each different staff of their group twice: As soon as at residence and as soon as away. The league part ends in November.
Within the prime league, League A, the highest two groups from every group advance to the quarterfinals, which happen in March 2027.
The finals will once more be contested between 4 groups. The host and dates of the finals haven’t been confirmed but.
How have Croatia and Spain performed within the Nations League?
Croatia are third on this group with three factors from three video games.
- Czechia 1-2 Croatia
- Spain 4-1 Croatia
- Croatia 0-7 England
Spain are first within the group with 9 factors.
- England 2-3 Spain
- Spain 4-1 Croatia
- Spain 3-1 Czechia
Croatia vs Spain: Head-to-head
- Matches: 12
- Croatia wins: 3
- Spain wins: 7
- Attracts: 2
Croatia vs Spain: Type information
(Final 5 matches; newest match first)
Croatia: L-L-W-L-W
Spain: W-W-W-W-W
Who’re the highest gamers to observe?
Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic (Croatia): The evergreen Modric, very a lot the heartbeat of the Croatian midfield even at 41 years previous, has discovered the web as soon as on this marketing campaign. His fellow skilled teammate, Perisic, has additionally been impactful along with his two assists.
Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena (Spain): With 4 targets in three video games, Yamal is the joint main scorer on this yr’s Nations League, alongside three others, together with England’s Harry Kane. The Barcelona star has discovered the web in every recreation, together with a double towards Croatia within the preliminary face-off in Seville. Atletico Madrid’s Baena, however, has been influential in additional methods than one, bagging two assists and a objective.
Group information and predicted lineups
Croatia
Centre-back Martin Erlic is sidelined with harm till mid-October, whereas Josip Juranovic is unavailable attributable to sickness.
Possible Croatia XI: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic; Luka Modric; Franjo Ivanovic, Petar Sucic, Mateo Kovacic, Martin Baturina; Petar Musa
Spain
As many as 4 Spain squad gamers are uncertain attributable to accidents: Ferran Torres (bodily discomfort), Alejandro Grimaldo (thigh), Joan Garcia (knee) and Nico Williams (thigh).
Possible Spain XI: David Raya; Ivan Fresneda, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Fran Garcia; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Roberto Fernandez
Croatia vs Spain: TV channel, livestreaming
- Croatia: gol
- Spain: RTVE PLAY
- United Kingdom: Prime Video UK
- United States: FOX Sports activities, FuboTV, ViX
- India: Sony Sports activities Community
- Center East and North Africa: beIN SPORTS
- South Africa: DStv Stream
Yow will discover your regional broadcaster on UEFA’s official record.
