Spain hosts Croatia in Nations League clash after World Cup triumph
Spain is set to host Croatia in the Nations League, marking a significant moment as it is their first home match since clinching the World Cup title. The match will take place at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, a venue that holds special memories for Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, who spent 35 years away from the club as a player and now returns as a manager. De la Fuente expressed his emotional connection to Seville, stating, "Coming to Seville always stirs a special emotion in me." He emphasized the strength of his team, noting their versatility and ability to control the game, while acknowledging Croatia's competitive nature.
Croatia, under the guidance of Slaven Bilic, is looking to build on their recent success, having secured a 2-1 victory against Czechia in their opening match of the Nations League. Bilic is aware of the challenge ahead, stating, "There is no greater challenge than playing a competitive game against the best in the world." He aims to ensure that his team does not get overwhelmed by Spain's celebration of their World Cup victory, emphasizing the need for belief and quality to compete effectively.
In terms of squad news, Spain has faced some injury setbacks. Defender Eric Garcia has withdrawn from the squad due to a minor injury sustained during warm-ups before their match against England. In his absence, Marc Pubill is expected to step in at right-back, while Robin Le Normand returns to the squad for the first time since October 2025. Additionally, Inter Milan's Josep Martinez has been called up to replace Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who is dealing with a knee issue. Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen has also been included in the squad following Marcos Llorent's international retirement.
No Points for Excuses
On the Croatian side, they too are grappling with injuries, as centre-back Martin Erlic and winger Josip Juranovic have withdrawn from the squad. Late call-ups have been made for Marin Pongracic, Kristijan Jakic, and Lovro Majer to bolster the squad. Notably, Luka Modric, who recently turned 41, is set to make his 204th appearance for the national team, having scored in their last match against Czechia.
Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage available in the UK on Amazon Prime PPV. Historically, encounters between Spain and Croatia have been closely contested, with seven of the nine matches in this century ending in draws or decided by a single goal. Spain's recent performance against England showcased their ability to dominate strong opponents, but Croatia, buoyed by Bilic's return, is expected to provide a formidable challenge.
