Spain continued their perfect start to the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Czechia on Saturday night, with Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino finding the net in an entertaining encounter at the Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo.
The reigning world champions looked in control for long periods, but what initially appeared to be another comfortable Spanish evening became more complicated after Czechia pulled a goal back in the second half. Spain eventually restored their two-goal advantage late in the game, while Czech captain Ladislav Krejčí was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Yamal once again needed very little time to make his mark.
The Barcelona winger opened the scoring in the sixth minute with another reminder of the quality that has made him one of Spain’s most dangerous attacking outlets. Receiving the ball on the right, Yamal created the necessary space before cutting inside and sending a left-footed strike towards the far top corner. Czech goalkeeper Antonín Kinský could stretch but was unable to keep out the superb finish.
It was Yamal’s third consecutive match opening the scoring early for Spain, underlining just how quickly the teenager has been able to influence matches at international level.
Spain continued to dominate possession and territory, with Pedri, Dani Olmo and Rodri helping La Roja control the midfield. Their pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 35th minute.
The move began with Pedri finding space around the Czech penalty area as Spain worked the ball into a dangerous position. His attempt to play the ball back into the area was disrupted by the Czech defence, but the loose ball fell perfectly for Rodri.
The Spain captain made no mistake, driving a powerful, well-placed effort beyond Kinský to double the advantage. It was a composed finish from a midfielder who had increasingly begun to influence proceedings from deeper positions. Because the goal came after the defensive deflection, there was no straightforward credited assist.
Czechia struggled to create clear opportunities before the interval, but the visitors returned from the break with greater urgency.
Spain also introduced fresh attacking legs, with Víctor Muñoz and Yeremy Pino coming on for Yamal and Álex Baena. Pino immediately offered width and direct running, while Muñoz provided another outlet on the flank. Pino produced several eye-catching attacking moments and delivered a dangerous centre-shot that narrowly failed to find a teammate.
The Czech pressure finally produced a breakthrough in the 69th minute.
Jiří Sláma received an opportunity inside the Spanish penalty area and produced a composed, low shot across David Raya and into the net. It was Czechia’s first shot on target of the match and suddenly gave the visitors belief that they could complete an unexpected comeback.
For a period, Spain looked less comfortable than they had during the opening hour.
Czechia even appeared to have found an equaliser later in the game when the ball was pushed into the net after Raya failed to hold it cleanly. However, the goal was ruled out because Krejčí had committed a foul on Robin Le Normand during the attacking sequence.
The Czech captain then made matters worse for his side in the closing stages. Krejčí received a second yellow card for grabbing Roberto, leaving Czechia with ten men and making a comeback even more difficult.
Spain took advantage in the 89th minute.
A quick counterattack opened the Czech defence, with Roberto helping release Víctor Muñoz into space. Muñoz’s attempt was stopped, but the rebound fell into the path of Mikel Merino, who reacted quickest and calmly finished into the unguarded net to restore Spain’s two-goal cushion.
The goal effectively ended Czechia’s resistance and gave Spain a 3-1 victory.
The result gives Luis de la Fuente’s side three wins from three matches in the Nations League and extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 41 matches. It was not quite the free-flowing performance some supporters may have expected after the early dominance, but La Roja once again demonstrated the ability to control a match, absorb pressure and find a decisive response when required.
For Czechia, the defeat was their third straight loss in the competition. For Spain, however, the night in Oviedo ended with another three points, another three goals and another reminder that their attacking depth remains one of their greatest strengths.
