Merino's Brace Completes Spain Comeback Over Croatia and Seals Nations League Quarter-Final Spot

World champions Spain needed a Mikel Merino rescue act to stay perfect in the Nations League on Tuesday night, coming from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Croatia, stung by Saturday's record 7-0 home thrashing by England, stunned the visitors early when Ivan Perisic rose to head home a rebound in the 17th minute after Unai Simon parried Igor Matanovic's shot. It was the first time Spain had trailed in a match since Euro 2024.

Introduced at half-time, Arsenal midfielder Merino changed the game. He swept Dani Olmo's lay-off into the bottom corner with his left foot in the 61st minute, then struck again in the 89th — a rising shot into the roof of the net — shortly after Perisic was dismissed for a second yellow card.

The win extends Spain's unbeaten run to 42 matches, stretching back to March 2024, and makes them the second team after Portugal to win all four of their autumn group games.

In the group's other match, England swept the Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley, where Harry Kane equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps and scored twice to reach 91 international goals.