Croatia 1-2 Spain ended with the world champions celebrating a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. Ivan Perišić gave Croatia a first-half lead in Split, but substitute Mikel Merino scored twice after the break, and a late red card for Perišić tilted the game firmly towards Spain. Luis de la Fuente’s side are through with two group games still to play.
It was a night when Spain did not play their best football for long spells, yet still found a way to win. That is becoming a habit for this group of players, and it is exactly why so many punters back them in tight international fixtures.
Croatia 1-2 Spain: Key Match Facts
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A, Group A3 (Matchday 4)
- Date: Tuesday 6 October 2026
- Kick-off: 9.45pm EAT
- Venue: Stadion Poljud, Split
- Croatia scorer: Ivan Perišić (first half)
- Spain scorer: Mikel Merino (2)
- Red card: Ivan Perišić (second yellow, 79 minutes)
- Outcome: Spain qualify for the quarter-finals
How the Match Unfolded
Croatia start fast and strike first
Croatia came out with real intent in front of a loud crowd at Poljud. They pressed high, won second balls and made Spain uncomfortable in the opening quarter of an hour. The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute. Igor Matanović got a shot away, Unai Simón could only parry it, and the veteran Perišić reacted quickest to head the rebound into the net.
The hosts had chances to double the lead before the break. Matanović in particular will look back on two good openings that he could not convert, and those misses proved costly. Simón also made important stops to keep Spain within one goal.
De la Fuente’s change turns the game
Spain dominated the ball but struggled to create clear openings in the first half. De la Fuente reacted around the break by bringing on Merino in place of Álex Baena, and the switch paid off quickly. Shortly after the hour, Dani Olmo laid the ball into Merino’s path and Merino finished calmly to make it 1-1.
From that point the pattern of the game shifted. Spain pushed Croatia deeper and deeper, and the home side began to tire after their energetic start.
Perišić sees red, Merino wins it
The decisive moment came in the 79th minute. Perišić, already booked, brought down Marc Cucurella and was shown a second yellow card. A player who had been Croatia’s hero in the first half was now walking off, leaving his side to defend with ten men.
Spain made the extra player count in the closing minutes. Merino controlled the ball neatly inside the box and fired past Dominik Livaković to complete the comeback and spark celebrations among the travelling Spanish fans.
Talking Points From Split
Merino the super sub
Merino has built a reputation as a player who arrives in the box at the right moment, and this was another example. Coming off the bench and scoring twice in a game Spain were losing is the kind of impact that wins tournaments. Expect him to push hard for a starting role when the Nations League returns in November.
Spain keep finding answers
Spain had the lion’s share of possession but were not at their sharpest in front of goal. Even so, they never panicked. Their patience on the ball and their quality from the bench were the difference. Spain had already beaten England at Wembley earlier in this campaign, and they now join Portugal as the second team confirmed in the quarter-finals.
Croatia’s frustration
For Croatia, this will hurt. They led a top side for most of the night and missed chances to put the game away. Perišić’s red card was a turning point, and the result leaves Croatia needing a strong finish in November to avoid a difficult end to the group stage. It follows a heavy home defeat to England earlier in this international window, so confidence will need rebuilding.
What Comes Next for Croatia and Spain
The Nations League league phase resumes in November. Spain take on Czechia and then England, while Croatia meet England before facing Czechia. With qualification already secured, Spain can use those games to rotate, which is worth remembering if you are looking at betting markets on their final two group fixtures.
The quarter-finals follow next year. You can follow the full schedule and group standings on the official UEFA Nations League website.
Betting Angle: What This Result Tells Us
Before kick-off, our Croatia vs Spain prediction looked at Spain’s control of possession against Croatia’s home intensity. The match followed that script: Croatia were dangerous early, Spain controlled the ball, and quality told in the end.
Three lessons for punters:
- Spain are rarely beaten when trailing. Their depth means in-play markets on a Spain comeback can offer value when they fall behind.
- Bench impact matters. Spain’s substitutes regularly change games, so “anytime scorer” markets on impact players deserve a look.
- Discipline swings matches. A red card in a tight game can flip momentum quickly, which is why live betting needs patience.
For more previews across Europe’s top leagues, visit our football predictions page, and read how England fared in their Wembley clash with Spain in our England 2-3 Spain report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Croatia vs Spain?
Spain won 2-1 in Split on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Ivan Perišić scored for Croatia and Mikel Merino scored twice for Spain.
Who scored for Spain against Croatia?
Substitute Mikel Merino scored both Spain goals, the equaliser shortly after the hour and the winner in the closing minutes.
Have Spain qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals?
Yes. The win confirmed Spain’s place in the quarter-finals with two group games to spare, making them the second team through after Portugal.
Why was Perišić sent off?
Perišić received a second yellow card in the 79th minute for a foul on Marc Cucurella, leaving Croatia with ten men.
18+. Bet responsibly. JetBet is licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) of Kenya.
