Lamine Yamal scored twice as Spain beat Croatia 4-1 to extend their unbeaten run to 40 matches. England also secured a 2-0 win over 10-man Czech Republic in Prague.
Spain made a fast start in Seville. Lamine opened the scoring in the second minute after receiving Alex Baena’s ball.
The winger curled a first-time shot into the far corner. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic then denied Baena as Spain looked to extend their lead.
Croatia, however, levelled in the 28th minute. Dion Beljo headed the ball into the net to bring the visitors back into the game.
Spain restored their lead less than three minutes later. Lamine sent a cross into the six-yard box from the right. Marc Pubill rose highest to head the ball past Livakovic.
Lamine completed his double in the 63rd minute. He collected Pedri’s pass inside the box before firing into the net from a tight angle.
Nico Williams sealed the win with Spain’s fourth goal in the 89th minute.
“He’s a special player,” Williams told Teledeporte about Lamine.
The victory came in Spain’s first home match since they lifted the World Cup in July. Rodri paraded the trophy on the pitch before the match.
Gordon and Kane down Czechs
England struggled to break down the Czech Republic despite having a numerical advantage for most of the match.
Czech Republic were reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute. Pavel Sulc was sent off for a foul on Elliot Anderson.
England finally took the lead two minutes after half-time. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a cross into the box, and Anthony Gordon headed it into the bottom corner.
Harry Kane doubled England’s lead in the 69th minute. The striker reacted quickly to a loose ball before sweeping his shot into the far corner.
“Strange to get an early red card, not the best for the team and spectators,” England manager Thomas Tuchel told ITV.
“It’s an awkward one, but we kept going, got a win, and that’s what counts.”
Elsewhere, Scotland lost 3-0 to Switzerland in Group B1. Slovenia also defeated North Macedonia 2-0.
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