FOOTBALL – LAMINE Yamal scored twice as World Cup winners Spain extended their unbeaten run to 40 matches and maintained their perfect start to Nations League Group A3 with a 4-1 home win over Croatia yesterday, while England overcame 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 in Prague.
In a repeat of the 2023 Nations League final, which Spain won on penalties, Croatia recovered from conceding an early goal to equalise but were unable to resist a Spanish side fresh from a 3-2 win over England at Wembley on Saturday.
Spain’s first home game since lifting the World Cup in July was preceded by Rodri parading the trophy on the pitch and the celebrations continued in Seville when Lamine, just as he did against England, opened the scoring in the second minute.
Alex Baena’s ball into the area was dummied by Fermin Lopez and Lamine curled a first-time low shot inside the far post. Baena then had an effort parried away by Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic as Spain looked set to put the game out of reach early on but the visitors drew level through Dion Beljo’s 28th-minute header.
Spain took less than three minutes to retake the lead. Lamine whipped a cross into the six-yard box from the right wing and Marc Pubill powered a header beyond Livakovic.
Lamine scored his second and Spain’s third in the 63rd minute, collecting Pedri’s pass in the box before drilling his shot into the net, and substitute Nico Williams wrapped up the win with an 89th-minute goal.
England struggled to find a way past the Czechs in the opening half, even with a numerical advantage, but an early second-half goal from Anthony Gordon sent Thomas Tuchel’s side on their way. Harry Kane was in the right place at the right time to pounce on a loose ball in the area to sweep his strike into the far corner. Morgan Rogers hit the post and Elliot Anderson’s goalbound follow-up shot was blocked by defender Robin Hranac before England’s chances were boosted by a red card for the hosts.
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