Spain Player Ratings After 2-1 Win Over Croatia: Merino's Brace Secures Nations League Quarter-Final Spot

Spain Player Ratings vs Croatia in UEFA Nations League

Mikel Merino rose as the unexpected hero with two second-half goals, leading Spain to a 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia at Stadion Poljud. This win guarantees Luis de la Fuente’s team a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.

Spain kept their perfect record in the competition intact with a hard-fought win in Split. Despite holding an overwhelming 72% possession, La Roja fell behind early when Ivan Perisic scored in the 17th minute after an assist from Igor Matanovic. The Croatian team defended deeply and made 21 clearances, stifling Spain’s attempts to turn possession into clear chances for more than an hour.

The match changed dramatically after halftime when Merino entered the field. He leveled the score in the 61st minute following a clever setup from Dani Olmo, then sealed the victory in the 88th minute assisted by Martin Zubimendi. Croatia’s challenge was weakened by Perisic receiving a second yellow card late in the game. Spain’s patient structure and bench strength helped them earn their fourth straight win in Group 3.

Goalkeeper & Defence

• Unai Simon - 7/10: Had a calm night, making four saves against Croatian counter-attacks. Couldn’t stop Perisic’s precise opener but showed composure with his passing, aiding Spain’s build-up play.
• Aymeric Laporte - 7/10: Key in holding Spain’s high defensive line and recycling possession efficiently. Dominated defensive battles and kept the backline solid against Matanovic’s efforts.
• Marc Cucurella - 6/10: Worked hard on the left wing though his final passes sometimes fell short against Croatia’s tight defense. Defensively reliable, contributing to limiting Croatia to five shots on target despite their threat level.
• Pau Cubarsi - 6/10: Showed maturity in a tough environment. Occasionally tested by Croatia’s forward runs but his passing helped Spain find openings in the defensive block.
• Marc Pubill - 6/10: Delivered width on the right flank while covering for Lamine Yamal’s movements. Stayed alert to Perisic’s counter-attacking threat early on.

Midfield

• Rodri - 7/10: The captain held midfield steady with smart positioning and passing. Substituted in the 71st minute as the coach sought more vertical play with the game tied.
• Pedri - 7/10: Operated effectively in half-spaces trying to unlock a packed midfield featuring Modric and Kovacic. Maintained control even under crowd pressure before being taken off late.
• Dani Olmo - 7/10: Main creative force in attack, setting up Merino’s equalizer with clever movement between lines. Replaced towards the end of the match.

Attack

• Alex Baena - 5/10: Had limited impact during the first half and was substituted at halftime for tactical reasons. His exit marked a turning point.
• Mikel Oyarzabal - 6/10: Led the attack with effort but found few clear chances as Croatian defenders cleared 21 times. His runs helped create space for teammates late on.
• Lamine Yamal - 7/10: Faced heavy defensive attention from Croatian full-backs. Showed flashes of skill before being replaced as Spain switched to a more direct style.

Substitutes & Manager

• Mikel Merino - 9/10: Came on at halftime and changed the game with his late runs into the box. Scored both the equalizer and the winning goal.
• Martin Zubimendi - 7/10: Entered in the 71st minute and provided the assist for Merino’s decisive goal, adding energy and defensive balance.
• Fermin Lopez - 6/10: Replaced Rodri and helped keep the tempo as Spain pushed for the win against ten men.
• Victor Munoz - 5/10: Came on late and received a yellow card during stoppage time amid frantic closing moments.
• Yeremy Pino - N/A: Brief appearance in the 87th minute to help see out the victory.
• Luis de la Fuente - 9/10: Praised for his smart substitutions, especially bringing on Merino at halftime, which directly led to both goals and the win.