Merino Equalizes for Spain After Perisic Puts Croatia Ahead
Mikel Merino brought Spain level against Croatia in the Nations League at Stadion Poljud after Ivan Perisic gave the hosts a first-half lead.
Editor's note, Nov. 7, 2026: An earlier version of this article appeared in Spanish and its headline wrongly said the match was level at halftime. Croatia led at the break, and Spain equalized in the second half. This report comes from Marca's live coverage and does not include the final score.
Mikel Merino brought Spain level in Split after Ivan Perisic had put Croatia ahead, turning a tense Nations League night at Stadion Poljud into an open second half.
Spain went into the break behind despite a strong finish to the first half. Marca's live report described Croatia as the more intense side in the duels, with Perisic's goal the reward.
The equalizer came after Spain had been circling for some time. Stanisic cleared to Dani Olmo at the edge of the box. Olmo could not get a shot away, so he opened the ball out to Merino, who finished with what Marca called the calm of a center-forward.
Chances at both ends
Lamine Yamal had the clearest chance of the first half's closing stages. Pedri slipped him through, but his shot at Livakovic's near post struck the side netting. Later, Pau Cubarsí found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper, chose to dribble instead of shooting, and Croatia's defense got back in time to concede a corner.
Croatia had their moments too. Cubarsí blocked a Kovacic shot behind for a corner, and Unai Simón came out quickly to stop Gvardiol as he broke into the box. The hosts won most of the loose balls during that spell.
Luis de la Fuente's side pinned Croatia back after the restart. The referee reviewed a possible penalty and did not award it.
Tempers and changes
Olmo was left hurting after a challenge from Jakic, and Croatian players went over to confront him, starting a brief scuffle.
Luka Modric was later booked. The sequence began when Gvardiol stayed down after a foul on Yamal that the referee did not call and Spain played on.
Croatia then made a double change, with Dion Drena Beljo and Petar Sucic replacing Modric and Matanovic. Kovacic and his teammates were tiring by then, and Rodri stepped in to stop one Croatian counterattack.
De la Fuente also had a decision to make on Yamal. Marca asked whether the coach would take him off to respect a 270-minute limit or leave him on to chase a winner.
