SPAIN - CROATIA 6:0 (3:0)
UEFA Nations League, Group A4.
Martinez Valero Stadium, Elche.
Referee: B. Bastien (France)
Goals: 1:0 - Niguez (24'), 2:0 - Asensio (33'), 3:0 - Kalinić (35' - ag), 4:0 - Rodrigo (49'), 5:0 - Ramos (57'), 6:0 - Isco (70')
Cautions: Santini (12'), Brozović (39')
Spain: De Gea, Gaya, Nacho, Ramos, Carvajal (75' Azpilicueta), Busquets (59' Rodri), Niguez (65' Thiago), Ceballos, Isco, Asensio, Rodrigo. Head coach: L. Enrique.
Croatia: Kalinić, Pivarić, Vida, Mitrović, Vrsaljko (20' Rog), Brozović (62' Pjaca), Rakitić, Perišić, Modrić, Kovačić, Santini (71' Livaja). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
On Tuesday night in Elche, the Vatreni made their debut in the new international competition, but Spain secured second consecutive victory with an efficient performance in both halves.
Zlatko Dalić's men, however, have started on a positive note as Rakitić took a shot from distance, and Santini from close range - both going just wide. Perišić was also in a promising opportunity, but was blocked in the last second.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Vrsaljko was forced off with injury on 20 minutes, and four minutes later Niguez headed in Carvajal's cross from the right (1:0)
On 33 minute, Asensio punished Croatia's defensive mistake with a beautiful long-distance effort (2:0), and repeated the procedure from the edge of the box on 35 minutes, when his shot bounced off the crossbar and goalie Kalinić into the net (3:0).
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
At the beginning of the second half, Rodrigo was successful in a "one-on-one" against Kalinić (4:0), with Ramos scoring a header following a corner kick on 57 minutes (5:0). Isco completed Spain's night (6:0), sealing the biggest defeat in Croatia's history.
Moreover, Spain had several chances to score again, and Croatia now turns to October challenge - hosting England in Rijeka.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
UEFA Nations League, Group A4:
1. Spain 6 (2)
2. England 0 (1)
3. Croatia 0 (1)
Ivana Rakitić's jubilee
Croatia vice-captain has celebrated his 100th cap for Croatia and received gifts before kick-off in Elche. During his 11 years with the senior national team, Rakitić scored on 15 occasions and played some of the key roles in Croatia's recent success - especially at the silver-winning 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
