Lamine Yamal continued his superb goalscoring form as Spain secured a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday in the Nations League.
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 on in Rijeka.
However Mikel Merino wrapped up Spain’s win late on after Ladislav Krejci was sent off for the Czechs as Spain racked up a 41st consecutive unbeaten game, including the World Cup final win over Argentina in July. Yamal, who scored in the second minute of Spain’s first two games against England and Croatia, waited as long as the sixth before breaking the deadlock. Spain coach De la Fuente put his hands to his head in apparent shock at the quality of Yamal’s superb strike. It was the youngster’s 11th goal in his last eight games for club and country.
Spain cruised into a two-goal lead with Yamal and Rodri Hernandez on target but Jiri Slama gave the Czechs a chance by pulling one back with 20 minutes to go.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made several changes in Oviedo from Tuesday’s win over Croatia, including handing debuts to full-back Ivan Fresneda and striker Roberto Fernandez. It was one of Spain’s star names, though, who lit up the game early on, something he is beginning to make a habit of.
