Spain and Croatia have named their starting teams for their second matchday of the Nations League at the Ramon Sánchez-Pizjuan stadium this Tuesday.
The Red are playing their first home game since winning the 2026 World Cup and began their campaign with a 3-2 win in England on Saturday.
Croatiawho fell to Portugal in the round of 16 in the final, won 2-1 in the Czech Republic on the same evening in their first game of Slaven Bilic’s second spell in charge.
Luka Modric put Bilic’s side ahead in that game in the legendary midfielder’s first appearance since turning 41 earlier this month.
We will close the day in Seville remembering the match against England.
Exclusive images of our victory in London and a video that we really liked.
Rest! That tomorrow we all have to be at our best.#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/tUn9CpFS79
— Spanish Men’s Football Team (@SEFutbol) September 28, 2026
Spain has confirmed the starting team against Croatia
Eric Garcia has withdrawn from the Spain squad after suffering a minor injury during the warm-up before the win in England.
Marc Pubill replaced Garcia at right-back and does so again here, while Robin Le Normand has returned to the squad for the first time since October 2025 as a substitute for the Barcelona player in La Roja’s squad but does not feature.
Inter Milan’s Josep Martinez previously replaced Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has a minor knee problem, and Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen is one of five new arrivals in the starting line-up, following Marcos Llorente’s international retirement.
Martin Zubimendi is in midfield and Mikel Oyarzabal, Fermin López and Alex Baena are part of the attack. Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams and Ferran Torres make way.
Spain: Unai Simon, Marc Pubill, Pau Cubarsi, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena
Substitutes: David Raya, Alexandre Grimaldo, Ivan Fresneda, Mikel Merino, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Victor Munoz, Josep Martínez, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Nico Williams, Pedri
Full line-up Croatia v Spain in Nations League
Croatia includes six players: Marin Pongracic and Ivan Smolcic in defence, Josip Misic and Josip Sutalo in midfield and Marco Pasalic and Dion Beljo up front.
Center Martin Erlic (foot) and wide Josip Juranovic (hamstring) withdrew from the squad through injury. The winger Martin Baturina has been ill but is on the bench.
Pongracic, PAOK defender Kristijan Jakic and AEK midfielder Lovro Majer received late call-ups and Ivor Pandur will make his debut if the Rangers goalkeeper features.
Modric will win his 204th game if the veteran comes on. Orlando City’s Pasalic scored the decisive goal against the Czech Republic.
Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Ivan Smolcic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic, Josip Misic, Josip Sutalo, Mateo Kovacic, Petar Sucic, Dion Beljo, Marco Pasalic
Substitutes: Ivor Pandur, Luka Vuskovic, Franjo Ivanovic, Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Ante Budimir, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic, Dominik Kotarski
Where to watch Spain-Croatia: Nations League TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live UK coverage on Amazon Prime PPVwhich charges £2.49 for the game.
For worldwide coverage, visit UEFA List of international broadcasters of the League of Nations.
Spain-Croatia statistics and League of Nations form
- The last meeting between these teams ended in a 3-0 win for Spain in Berlin during the EURO 2024 group stage, but the previous two editions ended in draws after 90 minutes.
- After a 0-0 draw in the Nations League final in Rotterdam in 2023, Spain won 5-4 on penalties. That came two years after winning 5-3 after extra time in the last 16 of EURO 2020 in Copenhagen.
- Seven of the 11 editions have seen wins in Spain, with the last of Croatia’s three triumphs coming in a 3-2 win at Maksimir in Liga A in November 2018.
- Spain are unbeaten in regulation time in their last 39 matches (W30, D9) since losing 1-0 to Colombia in a friendly in London on 22 March 2024.
- This is their longest unbeaten streak and breaks the European nation’s record of 37 matches, set by Italy between October 2018 and September 2021.
- La Roja are unbeaten in their last eight Nations League group games away from home (W5 D3), while 39 goals have been scored in their last eight in all competitions.
- Bilic started Croatia’s only win in Spain, in the first meeting between the two sides, when his side won 2-0 in a friendly in Valencia in March 1994.
- Since then, Spain have beaten Croatia 3-1 in Seville in May 1999 and 6-0 in Elche in the Nations League in September 2018.
- Croatia are on a five-match unbeaten run away from Croatia (W4), but have lost three of their last five away from Croatia (W2), scoring in each of the last seven such matches.
- His win in the Czech Republic ended a five-match (3L) winless run away from Croatia in the Nations League and produced his first goal in such a game in more than four hours and 55 minutes of football.
