Kane celebrates his record perfectly
What better way to celebrate your 125th cap and equal Peter Shilton's record for the most caps for the national team? Harry Kane, winner with England of the Czech Republic (3-0) at Wembley Stadium this Tuesday evening, on the occasion of the 4th day of the Nations League, once again delighted. The Golden Shoe was first at the initiative of Valdimir Coufal's own goal (27th) with his cross on the right side. And he didn't stop there.
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The English number 9 pushed the leather into the back of the cages before the break (40th) to double the lead. After a magnificent action and a one-touch cross from Morgan Rogers on the right flank, Kane showed his talents as a pure goalscorer. Another successful match for the 33-year-old, who scored his 5th and 6th goals this evening - 91 in total for the selection - in the 4 Nations League matches. Because yes, as if that were not enough, the captain of the Three Lions punished the opposing goalkeeper with a header after a corner from Lewis Hall (57th). A phenomenon. A few weeks before the Ballon d'Or, the Bayern Munich striker is proving that if he were to win the BO, it would be anything but a theft...
Rogers demonstrates all his talent
What a performance for the man who landed at Chelsea for 137 million this summer. A costly transfer he is proving his worth to. After putting in a very good performance during the card against Croatia (7-0), in which he scored, the right winger once again broke out at Wembley with all his talent. Morgan Rogers was restless on his right flank, causing 3 fouls, and was very precise with the ball. It is also he who gives a superb one-touch ball on Harry Kane's first goal (40th). At a time when England has many attackers, and in particular on the right with Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers could win the bet and become Thomas Tuchel's starter during the next international window. In any case, he will have given everything for it.
Merino dons (again) the savior costume
He loves these moments. Already a savior on many occasions with Arsenal and with La Roja, Mikel Merino has once again saved his team in Split. Entering at the break in place of Álex Baena, the Spanish midfielder did not take long to put the world champions back on level terms. Like a hero, he delicately placed the ball with his left foot after a mix-up in the Croatian area on the hour mark (61st). And he wasn't going to stop there.
While Spain failed to reverse the trend, the punishment for Croatia came from… Mikel Merino. After sublime control of his strong foot, the Arsenal player followed up perfectly to deceive and punish Dominik Livakovic (88th). A more than valuable goal, since Merino allows Spain to achieve a 4/4 in the Nations League and qualify for the quarter-finals. If things got off to a bad start, Spain bounced back well and increased their unbeaten run to 42 games.
Lamine Yamal tried everything
Decisive in the first three Nations League matches, the jewel of FC Barcelona was not this evening. But that doesn't mean it's a throwaway service. Even in the absence of a goal or assist, Lamine Yamal lit up the Spanish right side. Especially since his partner Marc Pubill was not in good shape this evening. Stirring, provocative and destabilizing on his right side that he loves so much, the 19-year-old demonstrated that he was the strong man of the moment. The future Ballon d’Or? We're not there yet... But for the Barcelona supporters who wake up tomorrow morning to see that their protégé was not decisive, rest assured, Lamine Yamal is still on fire.
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Perisic starts strong…
Ivan Perisic is not finished with Croatia. At 37, you might think otherwise. But the PSV player nevertheless produced a very good performance in Split, in his hometown. The winger was turbulent on his left flank and was the one who made the Spanish world champions doubt. After a good comeback from the Croats, Mateo Kovacic shifts Igor Matanovic, who sees his shot being repelled by Unai Simon. Ivan Perisic then arrives to finish with a header. An explosion during his celebration, for the one who had scored his last goal with his selection during the World Cup and the elimination against Portugal in the round of 16.
…but sees red
If he came up against Unai Simon a quarter of an hour from the end of the match after an error by the Spanish defense (77th), the evening would turn into a tragedy for the PSV striker. Three minutes later (80th), the only scorer of the evening on the Croatian side would receive a second yellow card after a foul on Marc Cucurella. Certainly, a serious fault which might not have earned a yellow card. A decision by the referee which is costly, because Ivan Perisic will see Merino and the Spaniards go in front while the men of
Slaven Bilic played with 10… From dream to nightmare.
Croatia can't do it anymore
With 12 goals conceded in the first three matches of this Nations League campaign, Croatia did not start with the psychological advantage. However, the Croatians started well and scored first, greatly doubting the world champions. Ultimately, the observation is harsh. Two more goals conceded, and another defeat. Having beaten the Czech Republic - last in group 3 with 0 points - by a small goal difference (1-2), the Croats cannot rejoice in this international window. We saw it with the elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16, with aging players, Croatia is far from its best level... It's time for that to change!
Coufal weighs down his family
What was going through his mind? The captain of the Czech Republic, Vladimir Coufal, weighed down his team at the hour mark (27th). Without knowing what came over him, the right-back rushed into his own area to spray the ball into his own cages after a cross from the right from Harry Kane, when there was no danger. An evening to forget for him, who should not be proud of having taken away all his teammates' dreams of a first victory in the Nations League this season.
