fajar-ramadhan
Spain's remarkable run of form shows no sign of slowing down. On Tuesday evening in Seville, the reigning World Cup champions dismantled Croatia 4-1 in their UEFA Nations League Group A3 encounter, extending their European record unbeaten streak to 40 matches. The victory, played in front of a jubilant home crowd, was powered by a scintillating two-goal, one-assist display from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who continues to cement his status as one of world football's most electrifying talents.
The match carried added significance as it marked Spain's first home fixture since lifting the World Cup trophy in July. Before kickoff, midfield anchor Rodri paraded the coveted golden trophy around the pitch, allowing supporters in Seville to share in the afterglow of that historic triumph. Any concern that the celebrations might distract La Roja from the task at hand was swiftly erased once the whistle blew, as the hosts picked up exactly where they left off on the global stage.
Lamine needed just two minutes to open the scoring, replicating his quickfire strike against England at Wembley on Saturday. The move began with Alex Baena threading a pass into the penalty area. Fermin Lopez cleverly dummied the ball, allowing it to run through to Lamine, who met it first-time and curled a low effort inside the far post, leaving Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic with no chance.
Spain appeared poised to blow the game open early. Baena forced Livakovic into a sharp save moments later, parrying away a goal-bound effort as the hosts pressed relentlessly for a second. However, Croatia, the team Spain defeated on penalties in the 2023 Nations League final, showed the resilience that has long defined their national side. Against the run of play, Dion Beljo rose to head home an equalizer in the 28th minute, momentarily silencing the home support.
The parity lasted barely three minutes. Lamine turned provider, whipping a precise cross into the six-yard box from the right flank. Defender Marc Pubill, arriving with conviction, powered a header past Livakovic to restore Spain's advantage. The goal underscored the breadth of Spain's attacking threat, with contributions coming not only from their celebrated forwards but also from set-piece situations and overlapping defenders.
Lamine's second goal arrived in the 63rd minute and was arguably the pick of the bunch. Collecting a pass from Pedri inside the box, the winger showed composure and technical brilliance, drilling a shot into the net from a tight angle. The goal effectively ended Croatia's resistance and highlighted the telepathic understanding between Lamine and Pedri, two products of Spain's celebrated development pipeline.
Substitute Nico Williams added a fourth in the 89th minute, capping off a dominant performance and sending the Seville crowd home delighted. The late goal served as a reminder of Spain's depth, with a player of Williams's caliber available to come off the bench and make an impact. It also reinforced the sense that this Spanish squad is not merely talented but also possesses the ruthlessness required to punish tiring opponents.
The result leaves Spain with a perfect start to their Nations League Group A3 campaign, building on their 3-2 victory over England at Wembley just days earlier. That win in London was itself a statement of intent, demonstrating that Spain can travel to hostile environments and emerge victorious. The back-to-back wins over Croatia and England suggest that the World Cup triumph was no fluke, but rather the beginning of a sustained period of dominance.
For Croatia, the defeat raises familiar questions about their ability to compete with the very best on a consistent basis. Manager Slaven Bilic, whose side now sits third in the group after England leapfrogged them with a 2-0 win over a 10-man Czech Republic in Prague, must find solutions quickly. Croatia showed flashes of quality, particularly through Beljo's equalizer, but were ultimately outclassed by a Spanish side operating at peak confidence.
Spain's unbeaten run now stands at 40 matches, a European record that speaks to the team's consistency, tactical discipline, and sheer quality across the pitch. Records of this magnitude are rarely achieved by accident; they require a blend of managerial acumen, squad harmony, and the kind of individual brilliance that Lamine provides. Head coach Luis de la Fuente has crafted a side that is both difficult to beat and exhilarating to watch, a combination that makes them favorites in any competition they enter.
Lamine's performance will inevitably dominate the post-match conversation. Still a teenager, he has already delivered on the biggest stages, from the World Cup to the Nations League. His two goals and an assist against Croatia were not merely statistical contributions; they were moments of genuine artistry that turned a potentially tricky encounter into a comfortable victory. Comparisons to some of the game's greats are becoming increasingly difficult to avoid, though those around him will be keen to manage expectations and protect his development.
Looking ahead, Spain will be mindful that unbeaten runs and emphatic victories breed expectation. The challenge for De la Fuente and his staff will be to maintain focus and avoid complacency as the Nations League campaign progresses. With fixtures against England and Croatia still to come in the group, there is little room for error. Yet the manner of this victory suggests that Spain possess both the talent and the mentality to handle whatever comes next.
For Croatia, the road to recovery begins immediately. Bilic's side must regroup and find a way to convert promising moments into results. The gap between themselves and Europe's elite was laid bare in Seville, and closing it will require tactical adjustments, renewed intensity, and perhaps a touch of the luck that eluded them on Tuesday night. Their next group fixture will be scrutinized closely as a measure of their capacity to respond to adversity.
Ultimately, Tuesday's match in Seville served as a vivid illustration of where Spain currently stand: atop the football world, playing with flair and confidence, and guided by a young star whose best years are still ahead of him. The 40-match unbeaten run is a testament to collective excellence, while Lamine's display was a reminder that individual genius can elevate a team from very good to virtually unstoppable. For neutrals, it was a treat; for Spain's rivals, it was a warning.
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