Merino's Late Double Sends Spain Past Croatia and Into Nations League Quarter-Finals

Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice as Spain defeated Croatia 2-1 in Split on Tuesday, securing their place in the Nations League quarter-finals with two group matches still to play. The Arsenal midfielder, who has developed a knack for delivering decisive contributions as a substitute under coach Luis de la Fuente, turned a difficult evening into another memorable result for the world champions.

The victory maintains Spain's remarkable unbeaten run, which now stands at 42 consecutive matches without defeat. It also keeps De la Fuente's side three points clear of England at the top of Group A3, putting them in a commanding position to finish first in the group. For Croatia, the defeat compounds a difficult week that began with a humiliating 7-0 loss to England in front of a crowd composed largely of children, as home supporters served a ban imposed over racist behaviour by fans.

Croatia, coached by Slaven Bilic, arrived in Split determined to restore pride after that chastening result at the weekend. Playing in front of their own supporters for the first time since the stadium sanction, they produced a committed and organised first-half display that briefly threatened to hand Spain their first defeat in more than three years.

The hosts took the lead through veteran forward Ivan Perisic, who reacted quickest after Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon had saved Igor Matanovic's initial effort. Perisic headed home the rebound to send the home crowd into celebration, capping a strong opening period for Luka Modric and his teammates. Earlier, Simon had been forced into a smart save from Josip Stanisic's header as Croatia pressed with intent.

Spain's goalkeeper, who plays his club football for Athletic Bilbao, endured an erratic opening. He nearly gifted Croatia a second goal when a loose pass put Aymeric Laporte under pressure inside his own penalty area. Croatia intercepted the ball and worked an opportunity for Freiburg striker Matanovic, but Simon redeemed himself with a crucial stop to keep the deficit at one.

The visitors also had chances of their own before the interval. Teenage winger Lamine Yamal broke through on goal early in the second half, only to go down after nudging the ball past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who also happens to be his Barcelona teammate. No penalty was awarded, and the moment passed without further consequence.

De la Fuente's decision to introduce Merino at half-time proved decisive. The midfielder, who has repeatedly delivered important goals from the bench for Spain, including during the country's World Cup triumph in the summer, equalised in the 61st minute. Dani Olmo, a player who developed his game in Croatia as a young footballer, provided the assist with a precise pass that Merino converted with a low finish past Livakovic.

Croatia's hopes of holding on for a draw suffered a significant blow with ten minutes remaining when Perisic, the goalscorer, was shown a second yellow card and dismissed for bringing down Marc Cucurella. The sending-off left the hosts a man short for the closing stages and handed Spain the numerical advantage they needed to push for a winner.

Merino duly delivered with two minutes remaining, producing a superb turn and finish to beat Livakovic and seal the three points. The former Real Sociedad player's ability to influence matches as a substitute has become a defining feature of his international career, and this latest intervention underlined his value to a Spain squad loaded with attacking talent.

The result extends Spain's extraordinary sequence of results and reinforces their status as the leading national team in world football. Having won the World Cup in the summer, De la Fuente's side continue to combine technical excellence with the kind of resilience required to win matches even when they are not at their fluent best. The comeback in Split was the latest example of that winning mentality.

For Croatia, the defeat leaves them facing an uphill struggle to qualify from a demanding group. Bilic's team showed considerable improvement from the England debacle but were ultimately undone by a combination of Spain's squad depth and their own disciplinary lapse. The challenge now is to regroup and secure enough points from their remaining fixtures to remain in contention.

Spain's qualification with two matches to spare reflects the consistency they have built over several years. The unbeaten run, which stretches back more than three years, encompasses major tournament success and a steady stream of competitive results. England remain their closest challengers in Group A3, but the three-point cushion gives Spain control of their own destiny in the race for top spot.

Merino's brace will inevitably invite further discussion about his role within the squad. While he is not always a starter, his record of scoring crucial goals in important matches has made him an indispensable option for De la Fuente. The ability to change a game from the bench is a rare quality, and Spain possess it in a player who has now delivered on the biggest stages for club and country alike.

Croatia's evening ended in frustration, but the performance offered encouragement after the trauma of Saturday's result. Modric, still influential at the heart of midfield, helped orchestrate a first half in which the hosts matched their illustrious opponents for long periods. The sending-off of Perisic, however, proved a turning point that a team of Croatia's experience will regret.

Spain will now turn their attention to the remaining group fixtures, knowing that their place in the quarter-finals is secure. For De la Fuente, the challenge will be maintaining focus and momentum as the Nations League progresses. With a World Cup already secured and an unbeaten run intact, his team continues to set the benchmark for international football in Europe and beyond.