Lamine Yamal has further cemented his status as a Ballon d’Or frontrunner, delivering another masterclass to help Spain secure a 3-1 victory over Czechia in the UEFA Nations League. The win keeps Spain at the top of Group A3, three points clear of England, following a high-scoring weekend in the competition. The result continues a remarkable unbeaten streak for the world champions, marking their 41st consecutive game without a loss, a run that stretches back to their successful World Cup final performance against Argentina in July. The world champions moved three points clear of England at the top of Group A3 after Thomas Tuchel’s side demolished Croatia 7-0 earlier in Rijeka on Saturday.
Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute with an exquisite strike from the right of the penalty area, curling the ball into the top corner after maneuvering into shooting space. This goal made him the first player in men’s international history to score within the opening 10 minutes of three consecutive games. The 19-year-old winger now has 12 goals across his last nine appearances for both club and country. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente admitted his amazement at the youngster’s performance, noting that he still believes the world has yet to see the best version of Yamal’s immense potential. We all have to chip in with the goals,” he added, i’d not been scoring many goals; let’s see if I’ve found that dynamic – it’s important. “I think he never stops surprising us – I think all of us.
Captain Rodri Hernandez doubled the lead in the 35th minute, timing his run into the box perfectly to drill the ball home. It was the midfielder’s first international goal in over two years, providing a significant boost to his confidence. Rodri acknowledged the difficulty of the contest after the final whistle, stating that while the team managed the game effectively, the Czech side was well-organized and presented a stiff challenge throughout the fixture. But Jiri Slama gave the Czechs a chance by pulling one back with 20 minutes to go, spain cruised into a two-goal lead with Yamal and captain Rodri Hernandez on target. “It was tricky but we got some chances. But the team was able to manage the match.”, there are some matches in which you can’t generate that much. The former Manchester City midfielder scored for the first time for Spain in more than two years.
The match saw several lineup rotations by De la Fuente, including debuts for defender Ivan Fresneda and forward Roberto Fernandez, as the manager looked to test squad depth. Yamal was substituted at halftime to ensure he remained fresh for the upcoming clash against Croatia. Following the break, the tempo shifted as Jiri Slama reduced the deficit for the visitors with a well-placed low finish set up by Adam Hlozek, creating a period of tension for the Spanish defense.
Spain goalkeeper David Raya experienced a few nervous moments, including a misplaced pass and a dropped ball that nearly resulted in a goal for Ryan Naderi, though the latter was eventually ruled out for a foul on Robin Le Normand. Any hopes of a Czech comeback were ultimately extinguished after Ladislav Krejci was sent off for a second yellow card following a foul on Fernandez. Mikel Merino provided the final touch, sealing the 3-1 win for Spain late in the game. Though, who lit up the game early on, something he is beginning to make a habit of, it was one of Spain’s star names.
Reflecting on his return to the national squad after the World Cup, Yamal expressed his satisfaction with the team’s current form and his own contributions. The Spanish side will now turn its attention toward the Tuesday fixture against Croatia, aiming to maintain their dominant position in the group standings as they continue their unbeaten campaign.
