Lamine Yamal scores twice as Spain beat Croatia 4:1

Lamine Yamal scored twice and set up a third as Spain beat Croatia 4:1 at the Sánchez Pizjuán, becoming the first player in the 106-year history of the Spanish national team to score inside the opening two minutes of consecutive matches.

He needed only two minutes this time, after finding the net in 104 seconds at Wembley against England on the previous matchday. Against Croatia he struck in the 2nd minute, a firm low finish to the far post, and added a second in the 63rd, this time high to the near post. In between, his cross set up Marc Pubill Pagès for Spain's second goal in the 31st minute.

Both of Yamal's goals went past Dominik Livaković, his Barcelona team-mate. Croatia had pulled a goal back through Dion Drena Beljo in the 28th minute, and Nicholas Williams Arthuer completed the scoring in the 89th. Spain dominated possession at 64 per cent and had seven shots on target to Croatia's two.

Asked afterwards whether the display added another argument for the Ballon d'Or, Yamal said: "Otra más" — another one. The remark carried an edge of irony: voting for the 2026 award had already closed 24 hours before kick-off, by all accounts, though the 18-year-old has made little secret of considering himself among the favourites, having won the World Cup with Spain this year.

The result kept Spain top of their World Cup qualifying group on seven points from three matches, level with England, who also lead their own group on seven points. Croatia sit second in their group on six points.

Our match report on Spain's win over Croatia is available at /en/football/event/spain-croatia-2026-09-29_6935094/.