Croatia host Spain at Split’s Poljud Stadium on Tuesday as they look to recover from a historic 7-0 defeat by England, while the world champions arrive with a 41-match unbeaten run and 10 successive victories.
The match concludes the September/October international break in Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League A, and comes only days after Spain’s 4-1 victory over Croatia on 29 September.
Croatia’s loss to England was their heaviest ever defeat. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, while Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon also found the net as the Three Lions recorded a 7-0 win.
It was also the first time Croatia had conceded five goals at home. Thousands of schoolchildren were allowed to attend the behind-closed-doors match and were left shocked by the result.
Slaven Bilic’s side have now lost twice in succession and conceded 11 goals. Croatia are third in Group 4 of League A, three points clear of the Czech Republic, who have yet to earn a point, and three behind second-placed England.
Bilic apologised to the nation after Saturday’s result. Croatia have conceded 12 goals in the 2026-27 Nations League, the second-worst defensive record in the competition behind San Marino, who have allowed 14.
Spain, by contrast, moved into double figures for goals in the tournament with their latest victory over the Czech Republic, who were reduced to 10 men. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after six minutes in Oviedo, before Rodri and Mikel Merino added further goals. Jiri Slajs scored for the visitors, while Ladislav Krejci was sent off.
Spain have won all three of their Nations League matches and sit firmly at the top of Group 3. Their unbeaten run has reached 41 matches in all competitions, while their 16-game unbeaten sequence in the Nations League – excluding defeats on penalties – is the longest by any team since the competition began in 2018.
Spain have also won their past four meetings with Croatia, who have conceded at least twice in five of their last six encounters.
The suggested betting selections are Spain to win and fewer than 4.5 goals at 1.61, Mikel Oyarzabal to score at 2.00, and Lamine Yamal to provide an assist in a Spain victory at 2.62.
Croatia have no new injury concerns, although Luka Vuskovic, Marko Pasalic, Josip Misic, Petar Sucic and Martin Pongracic are all one booking away from suspension. Martin Pongracic was not in Saturday’s squad, alongside Lovro Majer, Ante Budimir and Dion Drena Beljo.
Luka Modric, substituted before the hour against England, is expected to retain his place for his 206th cap. Croatia’s probable XI is Livakovic; Smolcic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Ivanovic, Mario Pasalic, Vlasic; Matanovic.
For Spain, Yamal and Alex Baena were withdrawn at half-time against the Czech Republic for tactical reasons. Pau Cubarsi was rested, while Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Alex Grimaldo are unavailable. Luis de la Fuente made nine changes for the Czech Republic match and could rotate again.
Spain’s expected line-up is Simon; Fresneda, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Lopez, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Munoz. Croatia’s collapse makes another heavy defeat unlikely, but Spain remain strong favourites to extend their perfect record.