Yamal Brace Sends Spain to Record 40-Match Unbeaten Run With Croatia Rout

Spain became the first international team to go 40 matches unbeaten, thrashing Croatia 4-1 in Seville behind a Lamine Yamal brace, to open a three-point lead at the top of Nations League Group A3.

Yamal struck inside two minutes, latching onto a low ball after Marc Cucurella's run down the left, and turned provider three minutes later, setting up Marc Pubill to head in Spain's second. Croatia hit back before the break through Dion Drena Beljo's header from an Ivan Perisic cross, making it 2-1 at half-time in Spain's first home game since winning the World Cup in July.

Yamal completed his brace in the 63rd minute, powering in at the near post after a Pedri pass, before Nico Williams added a fourth in the 89th minute to wrap up the win. The result extends Spain's unbeaten run, built on 31 wins and nine draws, to a world-record 40 matches, four days after their 3-2 comeback win over England at Wembley.