It was a night of rescue acts and record books. In Split, Spain's world champions stared down another Croatian upset until substitute Mikel Merino produced two clinical finishes to overturn a 1-0 deficit and book a quarter-final place. At Wembley, Harry Kane equalled Peter Shilton's England appearance record and celebrated with two goals as the Three Lions swept Czechia aside 3-0.

Contents

  1. Merino saves Spain in Split
  2. Perisic's flash of brilliance — and his red card
  3. A 42-game unbeaten run rolls on
  4. Kane's landmark night at Wembley
  5. Key takeaways
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. Sources
  8. Further reading

Merino saves Spain in Split

For 61 minutes, Croatia dared to dream. Three days after England's 7-0 demolition left them reeling, Slaven Bilic's side produced a response of genuine courage, pressing Spain into mistakes and threatening a famous result at the Stadion Poljud.

The lead came in the 17th minute, and it was beautifully worked. Mateo Kovacic found Igor Matanovic, whose shot was parried by Unai Simon — only for veteran Ivan Perisic to arrive first and head the rebound into the bottom corner. Spain's goalkeeper then almost gifted Croatia a second, his stray pass intercepted by Nikola Vlasic, but Simon redeemed himself with a fine stop.

Luis de la Fuente's answer at half-time was decisive: on came Mikel Merino. The Arsenal midfielder needed just 16 minutes of the second half to change the match. Dani Olmo intercepted a clearance and teed him up perfectly; Merino swept a left-footed finish into the bottom corner to level at 1-1. According to Reuters, the equaliser preserved a national unbeaten run that has now stretched to 42 matches.

Perisic's flash of brilliance — and his red card

Croatia's evening collapsed in the 79th minute. Perisic, the scorer of the opener, collected a second yellow card and left his team-mates to defend with ten men. Against this Spain side, that was an invitation. Merino struck again with time running out — another assured left-footed finish into the corner — completing the comeback and UEFA confirmed Spain as the second team into the quarter-finals.

It was Spain's first-ever away win on Croatian soil at the third attempt — and it capped a remarkable double over the same opponents after the 4-1 victory in Seville a week earlier.

A 42-game unbeaten run rolls on

Spain now top the group with 12 points from four games. The numbers behind this team are staggering: undefeated since March 2024, world champions, and deep enough to win matches from the bench. Croatia, by contrast, sit on three points and face an anxious wait on the remaining fixtures.

There are concerns beneath the shine. Croatia exposed Spain's defensive fragility — Martin Zubimendi's loose pass nearly let Perisic in again, and Simon's distribution wobbled — but championship teams find ways to win on imperfect nights, and Spain keep finding them.

Kane's landmark night at Wembley

While Spain were toiling, England were cruising. At Wembley, Harry Kane marked his record-equalling 125th cap — drawing level with Peter Shilton as England's most-capped player — with a performance worthy of the milestone.

Kane supplied the cross that Vladimir Coufal turned into his own net in the 27th minute, then took over. Just before half-time, Morgan Rogers met Elliot Anderson's long ball and crossed first-time for the 33-year-old to finish clinically. Kane's second arrived in the 57th minute, a towering header from Lewis Hall's corner — his 91st England goal and the strike that made him the current Nations League campaign's top scorer with six.

England's 3-0 win leaves them on nine points, all but assured of joining Spain in the quarter-finals, while Czechia remain without a point. Elsewhere on matchday four, Slovenia beat Scotland 2-1 and — per UEFA's round-up — France and Italy both strengthened their positions after Monday's games, including France's comeback against Belgium.

Key takeaways

  • Merino's night: the half-time substitute scored twice (61st minute and late on) as Spain beat Croatia 2-1 in Split to seal a Nations League quarter-final place.
  • 42 and counting: Spain extended their unbeaten run to 42 matches, unbeaten since March 2024, and top their group with 12 points.
  • Perisic sent off: Croatia's scorer collected a second yellow in the 79th minute, tilting the match decisively toward Spain.
  • Kane's record night: 125 caps — equalling Peter Shilton — plus two goals and an assist in England's 3-0 win over Czechia; 91 England goals and counting.
  • Quarter-final picture: Spain are through; England, on nine points, have all but sealed their spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score in Croatia vs Spain?

Spain won 2-1 in Split on Tuesday night. Ivan Perisic gave Croatia a 17th-minute lead, but substitute Mikel Merino scored twice in the second half — the equaliser in the 61st minute and the winner with time running out — to complete the comeback and seal Spain's place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

How did Harry Kane mark his 125th cap for England?

Kane equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 England appearances and celebrated in style: he set up the opening goal — a Vladimir Coufal own goal in the 27th minute — then scored twice himself, just before half-time from Morgan Rogers' cross and in the 57th minute with a header from Lewis Hall's corner. It was his 91st goal for England.

How long is Spain's unbeaten run?

Spain's unbeaten run has now reached 42 matches, stretching back to March 2024. The world champions are the second team to book their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Where do England stand in the group after beating Czechia?

England have nine points and, with Czechia still pointless, have all but clinched a quarter-final spot. Spain lead the group with 12 points; Croatia have three.

Sources

  • Reuters — "Spain rally to beat Croatia, Kane shines for England in Nations League" (October 6, 2026).
  • UEFA — "UEFA Nations League Matchday 4 round-up: Spain into quarter-finals, Harry Kane stars for England on landmark night" (October 6, 2026).

Further reading