LIVE BLOG: Croatia vs Spain | UEFA Nations League
Luka Modrić returns to action with Croatia against an unbeaten Spain side with a perfect record. The hosts are looking to bounce back after a 7-0 loss to England.
The referee brings the first half to an end at Poljud. Croatia head into the break with the lead thanks to Ivan Perišić's goal, while Spain will need to respond after creating several chances.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
45+2' - Yamal comes close to equalizing!
Lamine Yamal latches onto a through ball from Pedri and gets a shot away from a tight angle on the right. His left-footed effort comes close but misses wide.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
45+2' - Two minutes added
The referee signals two minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Croatia still lead Spain heading into the break.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
42' - Spain miss a chance to equalize
Marc Cucurella delivers a cross into the box, but Dani Olmo's right-footed effort from the center of the area goes wide to the right.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
33' - Lamine Yamal looks for an answer
Lamine Yamal creates some room on the right side of the box and unleashes a left-footed effort, but Croatia's defense gets in the way to deny the attempt.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
22' - Perišić booked
Ivan Perišić goes into the referee's book after fouling Marc Pubill, who earns a free kick for Spain in the defensive half.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
17' - GOAL! Croatia take the lead!
Ivan Perišić rises inside the box and sends a well-placed header into the bottom-left corner. Croatia strike first and move in front against Spain.
Score: Croatia 1-0 Spain
0' - Kickoff!
The action is underway at Poljud Stadium. Croatia and Spain have kicked off their UEFA Nations League clash, with the hosts looking to bounce back and La Roja aiming to maintain their perfect run.
Score: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Croatia's Starting XI
Spain's Starting XI
Luka Modrić Faces Spain with Croatia
Croatia hosts Spain this Tuesday, October 6, at Poljud Stadium in Split for the fourth round of Group A of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. The match will carry special significance for Luka Modrić, who is entering one of the final chapters of his historic international career after 20 years representing Croatia. The legendary midfielder, now 41, has still not confirmed when his final match for Croatia will be and has avoided putting a date on his potential farewell.
The historic midfielder decided to close out his international career to focus on his final season with Milan. Fans are preparing a tribute for a player who played a key role in Croatia's 2018 World Cup runner-up finish and their third-place finish in Qatar 2022.
Croatia's problem is the opposition. Spain arrives as the group's unbeaten leader with nine points from nine possible, having defeated England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Croatia Needs to Bounce Back from 7-0 Defeat to England
Slaven Bilić's side comes under pressure after suffering a 7-0 defeat to England in Rijeka, a result that became the worst loss in the history of the Croatian national team. The Balkan side has also conceded 11 goals in its last two matches.
Luka Modrić admitted after the match that it was the first time in 20 years he had felt ashamed after a game with his national team. Croatia now needs an immediate response against a side that already beat them 4-1 in this edition of the competition.
Spain Looks for Another Win to Strengthen Its Lead
Luis de la Fuente's side is enjoying an impressive run and has gone 41 matches unbeaten in regulation time. Spain is coming off a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic, with goals from Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino.
Before that victory, the world champions defeated England 3-2 and thrashed Croatia 4-1, showcasing their attacking strength. Lamine Yamal will once again be one of the players to watch after scoring against Croatia in their previous meeting.
The main question mark is Fabián Ruiz, who was a late withdrawal against the Czech Republic and could be unavailable in Split. The rotation in that match, however, allowed several regular starters to get some rest.
Spain Comes In as the Favorite
The official head-to-head record also gives Spain the edge. Across eight meetings, the Spaniards have recorded six wins and two draws, while they have also won four consecutive matches against Croatia.
All of this makes Spain the favorite to claim all three points once again, particularly given their current form and the defensive gap between the two sides. Croatia, however, will have a huge incentive to change the impression left by the defeat to England.
