Perisic put the Balkan team ahead in the first act | La Roja seeks to close the pass to the quarterfinals of the Nations League
Croatia is beating Spain this Tuesday on the fourth day of the Nations League. In the first half, Ivan Perisic put the Balkan team ahead after catching a rebound after a stop by Unai Simón on Matanovic. Luis de la Fuente's men started off a little sleepy and without rhythm and after the goal they improved, but between Livakovic and the lack of aim the tie did not come before the break. The Spanish coach decided to move the bench to start the second act and removed Baena for Mikel Merino. He was completely right. In the 61st minute Olmo picked up a dead ball in the area, gave it to Merino and he, with complete calm, placed his shot against the post to beat Livakovic and tie the score. La Roja seeks to mathematically seal its classification to the quarterfinals of the League of Nations and a draw on Croatian soil would be enough to certify the pass. In the three previous games, Luis de la Fuente's men beat England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
72
Take advantage of Bilic to make a change too
Vlasic leaves and Baturina enters.
71
Double change now in Spain
Rodri and Dani Olmo retire; Fermín and Zubimendi enter.
67
Card for Rodri
He cut one against the Barcelona midfielder and it costs him the card.
66
Double change in Croatia
Matanovic and Modric retire; Beljo and Sucic enter.
64
Yellow for Modric
Card for the Croatian midfielder for a challenge on Pedri.
61
MERINO GOOOOL!
Spain ties! 16 minutes on the pitch and Mikel Merino scores to give Spain the tie. Dead ball in the area that Dani Olmo collects, he gives it to Merino who cold-bloodedly shoots low close to the post to beat Livakovic.
1-1.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
55
Olmo is once again on the verge of finishing
Lamine crossed to the far post and Olmo went in to head it and narrowly missed it. Spain insists that it generates more than in the first act.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
52
The one Lamine had!
The Barça winger was left alone in front of Livakovic, he tried to dribble him and the defense appeared very quickly to get in the way and block any chance for Lamine to progress.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
50
Olmo High Shot
The Barcelona footballer shot from the edge of the area, but it went high. Then Jakic went to lift Olmo off the ground, who was hurting from a blow.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
48
Absolute dominion of Spain again
Croatia locks itself in its area again and Spain moves and moves the ball.
45
The second half begins in Split!
Spain puts the ball into play. There is a change of Luis de la Fuente: Baena leaves and Mikel Merino enters.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
And this was the action at Unai that corrected the mistake between him and Laporte
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
This was Perisic's goal
45+1
End of the first half in Split!
Spain loses at half-time. La Roja started a little unfocused and without rhythm and Croatia, which started with great intensity, found the goal with a header from Perisic after catching a rebound from Unai Simón, who stopped a previous shot from Matanovic. Spain improved after the goal conceded, but could not find a goal.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
45
To the side of the Lamine net!
Lamine picked it up a bit from a heel and tried to beat Livakovic by his stick as he did in the first leg, but this time his shot went into the side of the net.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
44
Oyarzabal's shot into the hands of Livakovic
Great center from Laporte that Oyarzabal heads somewhat forced into the hands of Livakovic.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
42
Kovacic shot that Cubarsí covers
Kovacic shot inside the area and Cubarsi had to come out quickly to block the shot, which ended in a corner.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
40
Olmo doesn't arrive for very little!
Cucurella's very good cross to the penalty spot and Olmo narrowly missed touching the pass with his toe. Spain and Croatia are pushing hard, it seems that they are beginning to suffer from the physical effort.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
33
Lamine's shot goes wide
Lamine stole in the rival area, faced Gvardiol and shot, although his shot went wide. Spain is growing little by little.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
30
He now recovers very high when he loses possession
Now Spain is drying up Croatia on the counterattack. The pressure that Luis de la Fuente's team is putting on is much better, as they steal from high up when they lose possession.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
26
Spain cannot at the moment with Croatia
The Croatian team's start to the game was extraordinary. Spain cannot penetrate the orderly defense of the Balkans, who steal and go on the counterattack very quickly.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
22
What a mistake Unai Simón has just corrected!
Laporte's error in a control in the area, Matanovic collects the ball and his shot ends up being stopped by Unai Simón. How close Croatia's second was.
21
Yellow for Perisic
Card for Perisic for a hard tackle on Marc Pubill. The Croatians are going very hard at split balls and now it's taking its toll.
17
GOOOOL BY PERISIC!
Croatia is ahead! Croatia barely has the ball but they are creating more danger when they can. Against Kovacic, who gives it to Matanovic; He shoots low and Unai Simón takes a great hand, but Perisic appears to hunt down the rebound and head at goal.
1-0.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
16
Spain is having a hard time generating chances
It is difficult for Spain to get into rhythm in these first few moments. Olmo, Baena and Oyarzabal are barely having a presence so far.
14
Yellow for Bilic
Card for the Croatian coach for airily protesting an action to the referee.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
13
What a stop by Unai Simón!
This is clearer than before. Perisic's cross to the far post was headed by Stanisic alone and Unai Simón had to intervene in the shot from close range. Croatia is growing and the fans are coming.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
9
Lamine cross that Livakovic clears
The Barça winger looked for Oyarzabal's head with a cross, but Livakovic came out to clear it with his fists. The Croatian team is very well closed at the back.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
5
Perisic shot that covers Pubill
First approach of Croatia with danger. Good action by Kovacic who, from the front, enabled Perisic in the area, he shot with a screw to the far post, but Pubill was very attentive to overtake him and block his shot.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
3
Absolute dominion of Spain
Croatia was very withdrawn from the beginning and Spain controlled the ball.
The match begins in Split!
Croatia puts the ball into play.
The former Croatia and Real Oviedo footballer talks in the interview about the importance of the midfielder, his team's tough defeat against England and the influence of Luis de la Fuente on Spain's success
Read the full interview here.
Rafael Pineda J. M. Benitez
Croatia, a team in decline and affected after 0-7 against England
These are not good times for the Croatian team. Modric is the main reference for this team, which has been very affected and in decline after obtaining great triumphs in the last decade. The 0-7 against England has felt very bad in a country as fond of football as Croatia.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
There are already eleven from Spain: Pedri and Lamine, starters
Luis de la Fuente has arranged this starting eleven against Croatia: Unai Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Baena and Oyarzabal.
J. M. BenítezRafael Pineda
Croatia-Spain, fourth match of the initial phase of the Nations League
Spain closes this long national team break in Croatia after having won the three previous duels against England, Croatia and the Czech Republic. The Spanish, if they achieve a draw, will already be in the quarterfinals of this Nations League, which will be played in March.
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