Croatia 1-2 Spain: Merino's Late Double Seals Quarter-Final Spot | Nations League Report

Spain secured their place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia at the Stadion Poljud in Split. According to Arena Live, Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice, turning the game on its head and proving once again why he is Spain's ultimate super-sub.

Key Moments:

17' - Ivan Perišić: Croatia took a shock lead when Perišić pounced on a rebound after Unai Simón saved Igor Matanović's initial effort.
63' - Mikel Merino: Spain finally found a breakthrough when Merino, who had come on for Álex Baena, fired home from inside the box to level the score.
78' - Ivan Perišić (Red Card): Croatia's hopes suffered a major blow when Perišić was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge.
88' - Mikel Merino: The Arsenal midfielder completed the comeback, controlling a pass in the box and firing a powerful left-footed shot into the net to seal the win.

Merino's Masterclass: Mikel Merino has made a habit of scoring crucial goals for both Arsenal and Spain, and this was another example of his incredible impact from the bench. His two goals completely changed the game, and his celebration — kissing the Spain flag — showed exactly what it meant to him.

Croatia's Brave Battle: Croatia, still reeling from their 7-0 humiliation against England, came out fighting. They were aggressive, physical, and took the lead through Perišić. However, Perišić's red card proved decisive, and Croatia ran out of steam in the final stages.

Spain's Resilience: Spain were not at their best, but they found a way to win. This is the mark of champions. They now advance to the quarter-finals with two games to spare.

Match Details:

Competition: UEFA Nations League (League A) - Group 3, Round 4
Venue: Stadion Poljud, Split

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