World champions Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split on Tuesday, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring twice to extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 42 matches and book a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. In the night's other headline act, Harry Kane scored twice as England swept past the Czech Republic 3-0 at Wembley on the evening he equalled Peter Shilton's all-time England appearance record.
Croatia looked set to end Spain's two-and-a-half-year unbeaten streak when veteran midfielder Ivan Perisic glanced a header into the bottom corner in the 17th minute — the first time Spain had conceded the opening goal of a match since the 2024 European Championship. But Merino, introduced at half-time, levelled in the 61st minute with a left-footed finish before completing the comeback late in the game after Perisic was sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute.
Spain join Portugal in the quarter-finals
The result seals Spain's place in the Nations League quarter-finals, to be played in March. Spain top League A3 with 12 points, joined by Portugal as the only teams to win all four of their group matches over the last two weeks. Head coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players after the final whistle for managing a difficult night in Split.
Merino's habit of delivering off the bench continues to define Spain's biggest nights: he has made a career of decisive cameos, and once again turned a match that was slipping away.
Kane's record night at Wembley
At Wembley, England went ahead in the 27th minute through a Vladimir Coufal own goal, with Kane providing the cross. The captain then struck just before half-time, meeting Morgan Rogers' cross to finish clinically, before heading home a Lewis Hall corner in the 57th minute to complete his double.
The two goals took Kane to 91 England goals — an outright national record — on his 125th cap, drawing him level with Peter Shilton as England's most-capped men's player. England, on nine points, have all but secured their own quarter-final spot, with Croatia on three and the Czechs still pointless. Manager Thomas Tuchel also reached a personal milestone, hitting 20 wins in just 26 matches — the fewest games any England manager has needed to reach that mark.
The Nations League resumes with its remaining league-phase matches in November.
Sources:
- Reuters: Spain rally to beat Croatia, Kane shines for England in Nations League
- The Straits Times: Spain beat Croatia as Kane shines in Nations League
- CNA: Spain rally to beat Croatia, Kane shines for England in Nations League
Croatia looked set to end Spain's two-and-a-half-year unbeaten streak when veteran midfielder Ivan Perisic glanced a header into the bottom corner in the 17th minute — the first time Spain had conceded the opening goal of a match since the 2024 European Championship. But Merino, introduced at half-time, levelled in the 61st minute with a left-footed finish before completing the comeback late in the game after Perisic was sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute.
Spain join Portugal in the quarter-finals
The result seals Spain's place in the Nations League quarter-finals, to be played in March. Spain top League A3 with 12 points, joined by Portugal as the only teams to win all four of their group matches over the last two weeks. Head coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players after the final whistle for managing a difficult night in Split.
Merino's habit of delivering off the bench continues to define Spain's biggest nights: he has made a career of decisive cameos, and once again turned a match that was slipping away.
Kane's record night at Wembley
At Wembley, England went ahead in the 27th minute through a Vladimir Coufal own goal, with Kane providing the cross. The captain then struck just before half-time, meeting Morgan Rogers' cross to finish clinically, before heading home a Lewis Hall corner in the 57th minute to complete his double.
The two goals took Kane to 91 England goals — an outright national record — on his 125th cap, drawing him level with Peter Shilton as England's most-capped men's player. England, on nine points, have all but secured their own quarter-final spot, with Croatia on three and the Czechs still pointless. Manager Thomas Tuchel also reached a personal milestone, hitting 20 wins in just 26 matches — the fewest games any England manager has needed to reach that mark.
The Nations League resumes with its remaining league-phase matches in November.
Sources:
- Reuters: Spain rally to beat Croatia, Kane shines for England in Nations League
- The Straits Times: Spain beat Croatia as Kane shines in Nations League
- CNA: Spain rally to beat Croatia, Kane shines for England in Nations League
