Sports
Yamal shines as Spain celebrate World Cup homecoming with Croatia win
By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 30, 2026
Spain marked its first home match since winning the 2026 World Cup with a convincing 4-1 victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday, September 29, with Lamine Yamal producing a decisive performance in Seville.
Yamal opened the scoring after just 75 seconds, continuing the impressive start he made in Spain’s previous Nations League match against England. Croatia responded in the 28th minute when Dion Beljo headed in Ivan Perisic’s cross.
Yamal leads Spain’s World Cup homecoming celebration
Spain quickly restored its advantage. Yamal delivered a cross that Marc Pubill converted with a header in the 31st minute, giving Pubill his first international goal.
The Barcelona forward added his second goal in the 63rd minute, collecting a pass inside the area before finishing from a tight angle. Nico Williams then completed the scoring in the 89th minute to seal Spain’s 4-1 win.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates his second goal
The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 40 matches and maintained its perfect start to Nations League Group A3. Spain now has six points from two matches, while Croatia remains on three points.
The occasion also carried symbolic significance for the Spanish team. Before kick-off at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, captain Rodri displayed the World Cup trophy to the home supporters after it was presented by former Spain international Jesús Navas. It was Spain’s first match on home soil since lifting the World Cup in July.
World champions Spain return home with convincing Croatia victory
Yamal’s performance also added to the attention surrounding his Ballon d’Or campaign, with voting having closed before the match and the winner scheduled to be announced on October 26.
Spain will next face the Czech Republic on Saturday, while Croatia is scheduled to host Spain in the following round of Group A3 fixtures.