fajar-ramadhan
Spain will welcome Croatia to Seville on Tuesday for a Nations League Group A3 encounter that pits the reigning world champions against a resurgent Croatian side, with the spotlight fixed firmly on two players separated by more than two decades of footballing history. At 19, Lamine Yamal has already established himself as one of the most feared attackers in world football. At 41, Luka Modric continues to dictate matches at the highest level, defying the usual limits of a professional career. Their meeting at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium represents a rare collision of eras, with both nations seeking a second consecutive victory to open the 2026-27 campaign.
Both teams arrive in southern Spain on the back of opening wins. Spain, the World Cup holders, produced a 3-2 comeback victory over England at Wembley, while Croatia edged Czechia 2-1 in Prague. The results leave both sides level on three points in the group, adding weight to a fixture that could shape the early race for progression. Spain enter the match on a remarkable 39-game winning streak, a record for a European national team, and are chasing a second Nations League title following their triumph in 2023. As last year's finalists, they remain the benchmark for international football, but Croatia's blend of experience and emerging talent offers a stern test.
The Nations League itself was established in 2018 with the aim of replacing low-stakes friendlies with meaningful competitive fixtures between Europe's leading nations. Organised in a league structure with promotion and relegation, the tournament has quickly become a fixture in the international calendar, offering smaller footballing nations a realistic pathway to competitive success while guaranteeing top sides regular tests against elite opposition. For Spain, the competition represents another opportunity to add silverware to a trophy cabinet already overflowing after their World Cup triumph.
Tuesday's meeting will be the twelfth time the two nations have faced each other. Spain hold the historical advantage with six wins, while Croatia have three victories and two matches have ended level. Their most recent encounter came at Euro 2024, when Spain ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in a group-stage match thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal. That result underlined Spain's dominance in the fixture in recent years, though Croatia's consistency at major tournaments means they should never be underestimated.
Form guides heading into the match point to contrasting trajectories. Spain have won each of their last five matches, a sequence that includes the World Cup final victory and the comeback against England. Croatia's recent record is more uneven, with three wins and two defeats in their last five outings, but their opening victory in Prague under new coach Slaven Bilic suggests a side capable of raising its level when required. The Croatian squad remains packed with tournament experience, and their ability to control games through midfield remains one of their greatest strengths.
Much of Spain's attacking threat will flow through Yamal, who needed only two minutes to score against England before delivering a performance widely regarded as man-of-the-match quality. The Barcelona winger has started the season in prolific form, with his seven goals placing him joint-second in the La Liga scoring charts. His club teammate Dani Olmo, who provided an assist in the victory at Wembley, offers another creative outlet and a proven understanding with Yamal from their time together at Barcelona.
Croatia's hopes will again rest heavily on Modric, who scored the opener in his side's win over Czechia in Bilic's first game back in charge. More than two decades after making his international debut, the captain continues to pull the strings in midfield, dictating tempo and unlocking defences with his range of passing. Bilic was effusive in his praise, describing it as a privilege to witness Modric's career and noting that the veteran remains the only player capable of performing at such a level at his age. Croatia will also look to Ivan Perisic, another seasoned campaigner, who set up the winner against Czechia and has contributed two goals and an assist for PSV Eindhoven this season.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente struck a determined tone ahead of the fixture, praising the mentality of his squad and the extraordinary statistical run they have produced. He insisted his players are constantly striving to improve and that Croatia would be approached with the seriousness of a final. Bilic, meanwhile, focused his pre-match comments on Modric's enduring influence, highlighting the sense of pride within Croatian football at being able to call upon a player of such longevity and quality.
Team news brings both challenges and opportunities. Spain will be without goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who is sidelined until early October with a knee injury. Defender Eric Garcia withdrew from the squad after experiencing discomfort in his knee during the warm-up before the England match and has been replaced by Robin Le Normand. Spain's probable lineup features Unai Simon in goal, with Marc Pubill, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella forming the defence. Rodri and Fabian Ruiz are expected to anchor midfield, with Yamal, Olmo and Nico Williams supporting Ferran Torres in attack.
Croatia face their own selection issues. Left winger Martin Baturina and right-back Josip Juranovic are unavailable due to illness, while centre-back Martin Erlic is injured. Dominik Livakovic is expected to start in goal behind a defence likely to include Josip Stanisic, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol and Perisic. Modric and Mateo Kovacic are set to marshal the midfield, with Luka Sucic, Petar Sucic and Franjo Ivanovic supporting Igor Matanovic in a forward line tasked with breaking down Spain's disciplined back four.
The match carries broader significance beyond the group standings. For Spain, victory would extend an extraordinary winning run and reinforce their status as the dominant force in international football. For Croatia, a positive result in Seville would signal that a new coaching era can deliver against the very best, while prolonging the international career of their iconic captain. Viewers across the globe can follow the action through a range of broadcasters, with RTVE PLAY in Spain, gol in Croatia, Prime Video UK in Britain, FOX Sports, FuboTV and ViX in the United States, Sony Sports Network in India, beIN SPORTS across the Middle East and North Africa, and DStv Stream in South Africa among the confirmed options. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:45pm local time, with live build-up and updates beginning from 15:45 GMT.
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