Merino Brace Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Kane Scores Twice for England
Published : 15:27, 7 October 2026
Spain continued their impressive run in the UEFA Nations League with a 2-1 victory over Croatia in the second leg. Substitute Mikel Merino scored both goals for the world champions, securing their fourth consecutive win in the competition.
Playing at Croatia’s Poljud Stadium on Tuesday night, Spain fell behind early. Ivan Perisic put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute, and Croatia went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Spain came out strongly after the break and found the equaliser in the 61st minute through substitute Mikel Merino. Croatia were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Perisic was sent off.
Merino then completed his brace in the 88th minute to give Luis de la Fuente’s side a 2-1 victory.
At Wembley Stadium, England also secured a comfortable 3-0 win over the Czech Republic, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice.
England took the lead in the 27th minute when Czech defender Vladimir Coufal scored an own goal. Kane doubled the advantage in the 40th minute before completing his brace in the 57th minute after the break. Thomas Tuchel’s side held on to the 3-0 lead until the final whistle.
In other Nations League matches, Scotland suffered a 2-1 defeat against Slovenia, while Switzerland defeated North Macedonia 3-0.
Albania beat San Marino 2-1, Belarus defeated Finland 1-0, and Slovakia secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Moldova. Bulgaria beat Luxembourg 2-0, while Estonia and Iceland played out a goalless draw.
