Lamine Yamal runs riot as Spain thrash Croatia 4-1 to stretch unbeaten run to 40 matches

Spain thrashed Croatia 4-1 in their second UEFA Nations League 2026/2027 Group A3 fixture, officially reaching a historic milestone of 40 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Nineteen-year-old forward Lamine Yamal was the hero of the night, netting a superb brace in the 2nd and 63rd minutes to help La Roja assert their absolute dominance in their first home match since being crowned World Cup 2026 champions.

Lamine Yamal: A masterclass at just 19

Just 70 seconds in, Yamal opened the scoring with a sublime curling left-footed strike, capping off a dominant 25-pass sequence from Spain.

In the 31st minute, he turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross from a short corner routine to set up Marc Pubill's header to put Spain 2-1 up.

The teenage star completed his brace in the 63rd minute, latching onto Pedri's through-ball before coolly slotting past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in a one-on-one.

The devastating power of the World Cup champions

Spain's total dominance was reflected in their commanding 64% possession and seven shots on target. Their high-pressing game and rapid ball circulation left Croatia completely chasing shadows.

In the 89th minute, Nico Williams capped off a perfect night by sealing the 4-1 victory, cutting inside from the left flank with some dazzling footwork before unleashing a clinical finish past the keeper.

This convincing victory sees the reigning world champions sit comfortably at the top of Group A3 with a perfect six points from two matches, further cementing their global dominance.

The Verdict

The emphatic victory over Croatia reaffirms Spain's supreme status in world football. At just 19, Lamine Yamal is no longer merely a rising star but has established himself as an indispensable talisman for the world champions.

The blend of collective resilience and Yamal's individual brilliance has turned La Roja into a formidable winning machine. Is there any side capable of halting Spain's march in this year's Nations League?