Spain beats Czechia 3-1 in Nations League and brings its classification closer

Important victory for the Spanish team in the third game of the Nations League. Luis de la Fuente's men beat the Czech Republic 3-1 at the Carlos Tartiere, in a match in which the goals from Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino were enough to get the three points and put a foot and a half in the quarterfinals of the continental competition.

La Roja's first game in Oviedo in 11 years was not the most brilliant, but again the craftsmanship and pure talent of the national team were enough arguments to triumph again, extend the unbeaten streak to 41 games and put qualification on track for the next round, even more so given the great 0-7 win by England against Croatia that leaves the checkered team sold in the golaverage.

It took Spain five minutes to strike the first blow. He did it, as is customary, with the left-footed hit to the long square patented by Lamine Yamal, in this case after a volley by Dani Olmo. The dominance during the early stages was absolutely incontestable, with the Czechs unable to chain passes and take away the importance of the Spanish midfield.

The local team's chances continued to occur, although neither Pedri from mid-range, nor Laporte with a header, nor Dani Olmo after a great collective play with the first touch were able to increase the lead. Rodri did achieve it, as he caught a ball from Pedri in the area for Roberto Fernández that was deflected by the rival defense and put it into the top corner.

With the score at 2-0, the break was reached, and the second half began with the same tone, now without Lamine and Baena on the pitch. Spain's pressure was suffocating, perhaps too much, because around the 60th minute their legs began to feel heavy and Czechia began to gain prominence.

David Raya had to intervene in a great leaked ball from Hlozek, and then recovering after mishandling a pass that almost cost La Roja the first goal against. This finally came in the 69th minute, in a counterattack by the Czech team that caught the local left wing very unprotected. Slama arrived in the race, who perfectly defined the long post, impossible for the Arsenal goalkeeper.

The temperature began to rise, with great intensity in the entrances of both teams, triggering a rain of yellow cards in just a few minutes. With this context came the controversy, as Raya sang in a set-piece play, the ball slipping through his hands and Naderi scored from point-blank range, but the assistant raised the flag, saving Spain from a tie.