Perfect Record in Oviedo: Spain Brush Aside Czechia 3-1 to Keep Soaring in the Nations League
Lamine Yamal opens with a thunderbolt into the top corner as Rodri and Merino complete La Roja's masterpiece at the Carlos Tartiere
The weight of the world title doesn't seem to have slowed Spain down. If anything, it has given them an extra lightness. At the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo, Spain earned a deserved 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Nations League. It was their third straight win, and it keeps Luis de la Fuente's men top of Group A3 with a perfect record.
The win follows a 3-2 victory away to England on Matchday 1 and a 4-1 rout of Croatia in Seville. On paper, Czechia were the weakest side in the group, but La Roja treated them with the seriousness of a champion that refuses to ease off.
Yamal: Five Minutes to Declare Intent
Lamine Yamal needed little time to become the story of the night. In the 5th minute he unleashed a rocket that nestled in the top corner, far beyond any desperate dive from the Czech goalkeeper. The early goal is nothing new for the Catalan prodigy. He opened the scoring in the 2nd minute against England and after just 75 seconds against Croatia. The early strike has become Yamal's personal signature rather than a coincidence.
Rodri: The Captain Steps Forward
In the 35th minute, Rodri doubled the lead with a decisive touch that combined composure and fine technique. Great holding midfielders do more than dictate tempo from deep, and they appear in the box when the game demands it. Spain went into the break with a comfortable advantage that reflected their control of possession and space.
Merino: The Bench Weapon That Never Rusts
In the second half, Czechia pulled a goal back and tried to mount a comeback, but the decisive blow came from the bench, as it so often does. Mikel Merino, now one of de la Fuente's most valuable substitutes, scored the third goal to shut the door on any upset and secure all three points.
Reading the Game
What sets this Spain side apart is more than the quality of its stars. The team has a collective memory that doesn't change when the names do. The pressing is high, the passing short and quick, and the transitions are managed with a cool head. Against all of that, Czechia looked unable to impose any rhythm of their own. Their lone goal was an exception in a match that had only one master, the home side.
The win extends Spain's historic unbeaten run, which stood at 40 matches before kick-off. It also ended a long wait for Oviedo, as the national team returned to the city eleven years after its last visit, a 2-0 win over Slovakia in a European Championship qualifier.
Next Up
There is little time to celebrate. Spain travel to Croatia next Tuesday, aiming to move closer to sealing top spot in the group early.
Dr. Talal Othman, General Manager — GCC Sport
