Pedri left out as Spain face Croatia in Nations League

Luis de la Fuente left Pedri out of his starting eleven for Spain's Nations League tie with Croatia at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, opting instead for a midfield of Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi and Fermin Lopez.

The world champions had beaten England in their opening fixture, and this was their first game on home soil since lifting the trophy. Pedri is fit and not carrying any knock; De la Fuente has simply preferred him as an impact substitute before, and does again here, with Rodri also dropping to the bench after starting against England.

Fermin Lopez comes in for his first competitive start for Spain, replacing his Barcelona team-mate Dani Olmo. He missed the World Cup through injury and had previously started only once, in a friendly. Pau Cubarsi keeps his place in central defence, and Lamine Yamal starts in the attacking unit — the 19-year-old winger, who joined Spain's senior side in March, has scored twice since. Eric Garcia, who was due to start the England match, has returned to Barcelona after picking up an injury in the warm-up at Wembley.

At the back, Dean Huijsen is recalled and partners Cubarsi in the centre, taking the place of Aymeric Laporte. The Real Madrid defender, sent off against Atletico Madrid before the international break, has scored three goals for his club since joining in August. Marc Cucurella continues at left-back, looking to improve on displays below his World Cup form.

Spain go into the match top of their group on seven points from three games, level with England, while Croatia sit second on six. Barcelona's summer signing Dominik Livakovic is expected to start in goal for Croatia, at the venue where he made his debut for the Catalan club just before the international break.