{"id":10359,"date":"2026-10-07T10:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/?p=10359"},"modified":"2026-10-07T10:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:04:28","slug":"croatia-1-2-spain-merino-double-nations-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/croatia-1-2-spain-merino-double-nations-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Croatia 1-2 Spain: Merino Double Seals Comeback\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mikel Merino scored twice as Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 and qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107 gave Croatia a deserved 17th-minute lead. Merino equalised after 61 minutes and struck again following Peri\u0161i\u0107\u2019s second-yellow dismissal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The victory maintained Spain\u2019s perfect campaign and secured a quarter-final place with two matches remaining. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croatia vs Spain match details<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Match information<\/strong><\/td>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Result<\/td>Croatia 1-2 Spain<\/td><\/tr>
Competition<\/td>UEFA Nations League, League A Group 3<\/td><\/tr>
Date<\/td>Tuesday, October 6, 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Venue<\/td>Stadion Poljud, Split<\/td><\/tr>
Attendance<\/td>32,690<\/td><\/tr>
Croatia scorer<\/td>Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107, 17 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Spain scorer<\/td>Mikel Merino, 61 and 88 minutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The official UEFA Croatia versus Spain match centre<\/a> provides team and match information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croatia punish Spain\u2019s uncertain start<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Croatia entered under pressure after losing 7-0 to England<\/a>. Slaven Bili\u0107\u2019s players responded with aggression, compact organisation and direct transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peri\u0161i\u0107\u2019s early cross found Josip Stani\u0161i\u0107 and forced Unai Sim\u00f3n into an important save. Croatia threatened again after 17 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mateo Kova\u010di\u0107 drove the break before Igor Matanovi\u0107 tested Sim\u00f3n. The goalkeeper parried the effort, allowing Peri\u0161i\u0107 to head Croatia in front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain dominated possession without controlling the contest. Croatia\u2019s midfield denied central space, while Dominik Livakovi\u0107 handled the limited first-half threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croatia\u2019s narrow shape forced Spain towards the wings, where crosses were easier to defend. Modri\u0107 and Kova\u010di\u0107 also protected possession, slowing the match whenever the hosts needed relief and preventing Spain from building pressure before halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spain
Mikel Merino scored his 14th and 15th goals for Spain. AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Merino transforms Spain after halftime<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Luis de la Fuente replaced \u00c1lex Baena with Merino at halftime, giving Spain another penalty-area runner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain passed faster and pushed Croatia deeper. Lamine Yamal threatened from the right, while Dani Olmo moved closer to goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Croatian clearance fell to Olmo, who drew defenders before finding Merino. His controlled left-footed finish beat Livakovi\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croatia remained dangerous. A misplaced Mart\u00edn Zubimendi pass gave Peri\u0161i\u0107 another chance, but Sim\u00f3n saved. Peri\u0161i\u0107 then fouled Marc Cucurella and received a second yellow card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain exploited the numerical advantage. Zubimendi found Merino, who controlled, turned and drove the 88th-minute winner beyond Livakovi\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croatia vs Spain statistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Statistic<\/strong><\/td>Croatia<\/strong><\/td>Spain<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Possession<\/td>27%<\/td>73%<\/td><\/tr>
Total shots<\/td>10<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
Shots on target<\/td>5<\/td>3<\/td><\/tr>
Corners<\/td>3<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
Passes attempted<\/td>298<\/td>778<\/td><\/tr>
Pass accuracy<\/td>78%<\/td>89%<\/td><\/tr>
Fouls<\/td>12<\/td>10<\/td><\/tr>
Yellow cards<\/td>3<\/td>2<\/td><\/tr>
Red cards<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Spain\u2019s 73 per cent possession and 778 passes demonstrate territorial control, but Croatia matched their ten shots and produced more on target. Sim\u00f3n\u2019s saves and Merino\u2019s finishing proved decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Merino changed the match<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Merino attacked spaces beyond Croatia\u2019s midfield, supported the forward and arrived inside the box at the correct moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His equaliser rewarded intelligent movement, while the winner combined control, strength and technique. His influence also created room for Olmo and Yamal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De la Fuente\u2019s intervention showed Spain can change games without abandoning possession. They added purposeful movement around the penalty area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Croatia's
Igor Matanovi\u0107 and Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107 celebrate Peri\u0161i\u0107’s opener against Spain. Photo: Ivo Cagalj\/PIXSELL\/Sipa

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What the result means<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spain lead Group A3 with 12 points from four victories. England are second with nine, Croatia remain third with three, and Czechia are bottom without a point. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result sends Spain into the quarter-finals. UEFA reported that it extended their unbeaten sequence to 43 matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croatia improved after their record England defeat, but qualification is now extremely difficult. They meet England again in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain\u2019s remaining fixtures against Czechia and England will determine their group position. Croatia, meanwhile, must recover quickly. Their heavy goal difference means results alone may not be enough if qualification becomes a three-team calculation in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it means for Ugandan supporters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The match showed Ugandan fans how a tactical substitution can transform a contest. Merino decided it without Spain changing their identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ugandan Premier League followers know Arsenal\u2019s Merino, while Barcelona supporters watched Yamal, Pedri and Olmo contribute. Manchester City fans followed Rodri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 9:45 p.m. EAT kickoff suited viewers in homes, hostels and sports bars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spain
Yamal, in white of Spain, in action. Courtesy photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Frequently asked questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who won Croatia versus Spain?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spain won 2-1 after recovering from a one-goal halftime deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who scored the goals?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peri\u0161i\u0107 scored for Croatia, while halftime substitute Merino scored both Spanish goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why was Peri\u0161i\u0107 sent off?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

He received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Cucurella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did Spain qualify for the quarter-finals?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Spain reached 12 points from four victories and secured progression with two matches remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can supporters watch the highlights?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The official UEFA website provides a video highlights package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow UEFA Nations League football with Bangbet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ugandans aged 25 and above can visit the Bangbet Uganda<\/a> sportsbook for available Nations League markets<\/a>. Current offers appear on the Bangbet Uganda promotions page<\/a>, subject to published conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gambling involves financial risk and should only be treated as entertainment. Participation is restricted to adults aged 25 and above. Set firm money and time limits, protect essential funds, avoid chasing losses, and stop if gambling becomes difficult to control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the Bangbet Uganda responsible-gambling guide<\/a> or contact the NLGRB helpline on 0800 285 800 for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Croatia restored pride with a threatening first half, but Peri\u0161i\u0107\u2019s dismissal weakened their resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain demonstrated resilience, squad depth and tactical flexibility. Merino\u2019s outstanding contribution turned an uncomfortable night into a fourth consecutive victory and confirmed Spain\u2019s place in the Nations League quarter-finals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mikel Merino scored twice as Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 and qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.  Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107 gave Croatia a deserved 17th-minute lead. Merino equalised after 61 minutes and struck again following Peri\u0161i\u0107\u2019s second-yellow dismissal. The victory maintained Spain\u2019s perfect campaign and secured a quarter-final place with two matches […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":10357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[135,122,504,105,584,446,585,502,472],"class_list":["post-10359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football-news","tag-bangbet","tag-bangbet-uganda","tag-croatia","tag-football-news","tag-mikel-merino","tag-nations-league","tag-perisic","tag-spain","tag-uefa-nations-league"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10359"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10360,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10359\/revisions\/10360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}