Spain Player Ratings: Mikel Merino’s Brace Secures UEFA Nations League Win Over Croatia

Spain vs Croatia: Player Ratings and Match Recap

Mikel Merino emerged as the unexpected hero with two second-half goals, guiding Spain to a 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia at Stadion Poljud. This win seals Luis de la Fuente's squad a spot in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.

Spain controlled possession heavily, boasting 72%, but found themselves behind early when Ivan Perisic scored off a pass from Igor Matanovic in the 17th minute. Croatia’s disciplined defensive block and 21 clearances frustrated Spain for more than an hour, making it difficult to turn their dominance into clear chances.

The game changed after halftime when Merino was brought on. He leveled the score in the 61st minute following an assist from Dani Olmo, then clinched the winner in the 88th minute, set up by Martin Zubimendi. Croatia’s resistance weakened further after Perisic received a second yellow card late in the match. Spain’s patience and bench strength shone through, marking their fourth straight win in Group 3.

Goalkeeper & Defence

• Unai Simon - 7/10: Faced few shots but made four saves. Couldn’t stop Perisic’s opener but stayed composed with distribution to help Spain build from the back.
• Aymeric Laporte - 7/10: Vital in keeping a high defensive line, recycling possession well and winning key duels against Matanovic.
• Marc Cucurella - 6/10: Worked hard down the left flank but struggled with final deliveries against a tight Croatian defense. Defensively solid, helping limit Croatia to five shots on target.
• Pau Cubarsi - 6/10: Showed maturity in a hostile setting, occasionally tested but helped break lines with his passing in Spain’s search for openings.
• Marc Pubill - 6/10: Delivered width on the right while covering for Yamal drifting inside, cautious against Perisic’s counter-attacks.

Midfield

• Rodri - 7/10: Anchored midfield with smart passing, maintaining pressure until substituted in the 71st minute to add more vertical play.
• Pedri - 7/10: Operated effectively between the lines, trying to unlock Croatia’s midfield. Controlled the ball well despite crowd pressure before leaving in the 87th minute.
• Dani Olmo - 7/10: Provided creativity and the assist for the equalizer. His movement troubled Croatian defenders until he was subbed late.

Attack

• Alex Baena - 5/10: Had a quiet first half and was taken off at halftime for Merino, which turned out to be pivotal.
• Mikel Oyarzabal - 6/10: Worked hard leading the line but couldn’t find clear chances against a packed defense. His runs helped open space for others.
• Lamine Yamal - 7/10: Faced intense marking from Croatian full-backs. Showed glimpses of skill before being replaced to allow a more direct approach.

Substitutes & Manager

• Mikel Merino - 9/10: Perfect impact off the bench. Scored both goals after coming on at halftime, changing the course of the match.
• Martin Zubimendi - 7/10: Came on in the 71st minute and assisted Merino’s winner, adding energy and stability to midfield.
• Fermin Lopez - 6/10: Replaced Rodri and helped keep the team’s rhythm as Spain pushed for the winning goal.
• Victor Munoz - 5/10: Subbed in late and picked up a yellow card during a chaotic finish.
• Yeremy Pino - N/A: Entered in the 87th minute to help see out the game.
• Luis de la Fuente - 9/10: The coach deserves credit for tactical adjustments. Bringing Merino on at halftime was decisive, directly leading to both goals and the win.