# Merino scores twice as Spain beat Croatia 2-1 to reach Nations League quarter-finals

https://mins.news/en/item/88711

- Al Jazeera, 2026-10-06 21:23 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/6/spains-merino-nets-twice-to-avoid-croatia-shock-and-maintain-perfect-start?traffic_source=rss

> Mikel Merino scored twice after coming on at half-time as Spain recovered from Ivan Perisic’s opener to beat Croatia 2-1 and secure a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with two matches remaining. Perisic was sent off late, while Spain extended their unbeaten run to 42 games.