Spain is set to play in front of their home fans for the first time since winning the 2026 World Cup, as they host Croatia in Seville for a UEFA Nations League match on Tuesday night.
La Roja kicked off their latest campaign with a thrilling win over England, while Croatia also started strong with a victory against the Czech Republic, creating an exciting matchup between two of Europe’s most seasoned national teams.
Prediction: Total home goals over 2.5
Best odds: 13/15
Bookmaker: BetUS
Spain
Spain continues to excel in international football, adding the World Cup trophy to their European Championship this summer.
Under coach Luis de la Fuente, the team faced England on Saturday and showcased their reputation as formidable opponents. Despite conceding an early lead, Spain demonstrated incredible composure, ultimately claiming a 3-2 victory at Wembley.
Lamine Yamal scored within the first two minutes to give La Roja an ideal start, but England fought back with goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. A crucial missed penalty by Kane early in the second half allowed Spain to regroup, scoring through substitutes Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal.
This comeback extended Spain’s impressive unbeaten streak. They haven’t lost in regular time since a friendly against Colombia in March 2024 and last suffered a competitive defeat over three years ago to Scotland.
Historical records favor the hosts, as Spain has won seven out of ten official matches against Croatia, including the last three encounters.
Team News
The squad is facing several withdrawals due to injuries, with Joan Garcia and Pedro Porro leaving the camp, and Eric Garcia absent due to a knee issue. Robin Le Normand has been called up as a replacement.
After making a strong impact off the bench against England, both Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal are vying for starting positions, and midfielder Pedri may also feature from the outset after an impactful cameo.
Croatia
Croatia approaches Tuesday’s match buoyed by a winning start under newly appointed head coach Slaven Bilic.
Returning fourteen years after his initial stint with the national team, Bilic is stepping into a new era following Zlatko Dalic’s exit after the 2026 World Cup.
His second term kicked off successfully with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic, where veteran captain Luka Modric scored shortly after half-time. After a brief equalizer from Adam Karabec, Marco Pasalic’s late goal secured the win.
Although this outcome was promising, Croatia is bracing for a significant challenge against the reigning world champions.
Historically, Croatia has struggled against Spain, not having won since their Nations League victory in 2018 and only claiming one win on Spanish turf, dating back to 1994.
Team News
Bilic’s squad is also impacted by injuries, as both Josip Juranovic and Martin Erlic had to withdraw, leading to the inclusion of Lovro Majer, Marin Pongracic, and Kristijan Jakic.
Marco Pasalic’s winning effort from the bench has positioned him for a starting role, while Ante Budimir is another option if Bilic chooses to modify his attack.
As always, much of Croatia’s play will revolve around experienced midfielder Luka Modric, who continues to be a key figure at 41 years old.
Key Factors to Consider
- Spain is unbeaten in regular time since March 2024.
- La Roja started their Nations League campaign with a 3-2 win over England.
- Croatia debuted the Slaven Bilic era with a 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic.
- Spain has won the last three matchups against Croatia.
- Substitutes Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal turned the game around against England.
- Luka Modric remains a crucial player for Croatia, even as he approaches his 41st birthday.
Conclusion
While Croatia boasts enough experience and skill to compete against any opponent, the renewed energy from Bilic’s return is a positive sign for the squad.
Nevertheless, Spain appears to be a well-rounded team. Their depth, attacking prowess, and winning attitude were evident in their match against England, and their first home game since becoming world champions is likely to provide added motivation.
Croatia may present a tougher challenge than England did at Wembley, but Spain’s superior quality across the field should prevail. Expect the hosts to keep their unbeaten streak alive and secure another vital victory in the Nations League.
Prediction: Total home goals over 2.5
Best odds: 13/15
Bookmaker: BetUS
Fan Take: This match highlights the excitement of international football, showcasing two powerhouses in Europe. For soccer fans, witnessing Spain’s continued dominance and Croatia’s potential resurgence under Bilic could shape the landscape of upcoming tournaments, emphasizing the ever-evolving nature of the sport.
Source: www.soccernews.com
