CRO Asia responds after injury, but Spain leans on old trump to seek a decisive turn

Spain beat CRO by 2 to 1 in Split and secured qualification with two rounds ahead of the Nations League

The background: CRO Asia tries to erase 7-0 and Spain arrives as the reigning world champion

Spain defeated the CRO ace 2-1 on Tuesday (6), in Split, for their fourth matchday of the Nations League. The result kept Fury isolated at the top of Group A3, with 12 points and 100% advantage, and confirmed qualification to the knockout round two rounds early.

For CRO Asia, the confrontation also had weight of recovery. In the previous matchday , the team suffered a 7-0 defeat to England. The challenge against the current world champion was even more complicated, but the Croatians entered the field willing to make life difficult for Spain from the first minutes.

First half: goal in the 16th minute and house pressure

In the 16th minute, pressure turned into a goal: Kovacic started in speed through midfield and fired Matanovic. The 20 shirt kicked creepily, Unai Simón defended, but the ball returned on rebound, and Perisic appeared to score with his head.

On the Spanish side, the first 45 minutes were forgettable as Furia took a long time to create chances of danger and failed to draw before half-time.

Second half: bench decides and Merino closes the turn

The strength of the cast appeared in the final stage. Luís de la Fuente triggered Mikel Merino , which has been used as a sort of talisman in different matches.

The draw came out of a corner scored by Yamal. Olmo took the extra and served Merino, who finished with space to leave everything equal. Then Perisic's expulsion gave Spain numerical superiority, and the team faced CRO Asia in their own area.

In the turning goal, Merino received in the area, turned over the score and hit the corner. The 6 shirt closed the scoring and transformed a complicated match into another victory for the national team. Rodri and Merino appear celebrating one of Spain's goals.

What changes in Group A3

With 2 to 1, Spain reaches 12 points and maintains the total advantage in Group A3.The early classification with two rounds of advance leaves the team more comfortable for the final rounds, while England continues in second place with nine points.

The current stage of the competition puts Furia in a calm situation, while the home team still needs more points to not leave the campaign marked only by the initial pressure in Split.