Croatia 1-2 Spain: UEFA Nations League – as it happened

Thanks for joining our live coverage of Croatia vs Spain in the Nations League.

We’ll be back with more live sport, but for now from me, Adam Hancock, and my colleague Kevin Hand, goodbye!

Some reaction from the Croatian camp now. Here’s midfielder Kristijan Jakic:

“It really is a shame for all of us. It was a tough match, especially when you concede to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute after having two good chances before that. But I’m glad the team reacted well after the last match and that we didn’t disappoint our fans.”

On facing Spain: “They are world champions and currently the best team in the world, and individually better than us, which they showed in the second half. When they find a bit more space, you have to drop back and it becomes very difficult. The fans mean so much to us, especially after a heavy loss; they supported us throughout the entire match and proved they are our 12th player.”

Spain match winner Mikel Merino has also been speaking after the match. This is what he had to say:

“It was a very tough game in a very difficult stadium with an unbelievable atmosphere. We knew that coming here was going to be tough, and obviously with them scoring the first goal – and the fans really cheering for them – it was hard. But this team never gives up, fights until the end, and luckily for us, we got the win.”

On scoring twice: “Scoring important goals means a lot to me. It’s a big reward for a lot of work. Sometimes those moments where you work hard don’t come with a reward, and for me now it’s coming in the form of goals. I’m really happy not only for the goals, but also for the help that I’m bringing to the team.”

You can now read our in-depth report of Spain’s 2-1 win in Croatia this evening in our match report.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has given his thoughts to Teledeporte after the match.

“They’re fantastic footballers and they never stop fighting. They surprise even me sometimes – I’ll be the first to admit that.

“In an atmosphere like the one you’ve just seen, we managed to rise above it. And in the second half we showed we were the better side. It’s a win of enormous merit.”

The World Champions will head to Prague in mid-November for a Nations League fixture against Czech Republic.

They’ll then finish the group with a home tie against England in Madrid.

A reminder, Spain have already qualified for the Nations League quarterfinals.

Away from this evening’s match, Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word, saying a failed agreement to publicly explain his omission against Norway drove him out of the camp, but insisting he remained available after any punishment.

In a lengthy statement, the 41-year-old gave his account of the dispute that prompted his departure from Copenhagen before Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark last week.

Ronaldo said Jesus had agreed a plan under which the forward would miss the Norway and Denmark matches to manage his fitness. However, on the day of the Norway game, the coach told him he would play for 30 minutes.

“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo said.

“The manager had broken his word to me.”

Read more here.

Spain have booked their place in the Nations League quarterfinals with two games to spare.

England are also all but guaranteed a spot in the last eight after beating the Czech Republic 3-0 this evening.

Mikel Merino has now scored seven goals for Spain as a substitute under Luis de la Fuente, more than any other Spanish player.

He scored two goals as a sub at the World Cup and was at it again tonight.

Can his goal-scoring prowess earn him a starting spot? Or will he remain the ultimate super-sub?

The world champions were under a lot of pressure, particularly in the first half of that match, as Croatia’s relentless pressing and work rate posed La Roja plenty of problems.

The hosts had a deserved lead at the break as Perisic put them ahead with a header, with Spain struggling to break down the Croatian back line.

Luis de la Fuente turned to his bench, and it was super-sub Mikel Merino that made the difference.

He levelled the scores on 61 minutes and then scored an 89th-minute winner after being set up by Zubimendi.

Croatia also had Perisic sent off in the 79th minute as the home side faded.

Spain’s winning run continues as Croatian hearts are broken.

Full-time: Croatia 1-2 Spain

Can Croatia muster the fight to get anything out of this game now?

90+1 mins: Croatia 1-2 Spain

Sublime play from Merino. He controls a brilliant pass from Zubimendi inside the box before turning and firing a shot past Livakovic.

The super sub is at it again!

90 mins: Croatia 1-2 Spain

Merino again!

89 mins: Croatia 1-2 Spain

Pedri whips one towards the front post, but Croatia clear it.

The offside flag then goes up as Spain look to recycle the ball.

87 mins: Croatia 1-1 Spain