Spain go into Spain vs Croatia with five wins in their last five outings and a 39-match unbeaten European run. The selection also says plenty about the mood in the camp, with three Barcelona players starting for Spain: Fermín López, Pau Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal. Luis de la Fuente leaves out Rodri and Pedri, and starts Fabián Ruiz in midfield.
Spain's selection and recent form
Spain's recent numbers are hard for any opponent to ignore. They have won all five of their most recent matches, scored 12 goals and conceded only 2 in that run. Their unbeaten European stretch now stands at 39 matches, which is the kind of record that keeps the pressure on even before a ball is kicked.
De la Fuente's line-up leans into that confidence. Yamal is in from the start, Fermin Lopez is in the XI, and Fabian Ruiz joins the midfield instead of Pedri. Sky Sport Italia said that Spain's unbeaten European run stretched to 39 matches after the 3-2 win over England at Wembley, and that is the backdrop Croatia are walking into.
Croatia's task in Seville
Croatia will need a disciplined night from Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol, with Ante Budimir also part of the challenge Spain have to deal with. Their route is to slow Spain's passing rhythm and make the game feel tighter than the form line suggests.
Even then, the balance still sits with Spain. A side that is winning, scoring and keeping opponents out at this rate rarely gives up much, and Croatia's job in Seville is to make that run look uncomfortable rather than inevitable. If they can do that, they at least keep the night alive against a home side that looks loaded from front to back.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
