The reigning champions of the UEFA Nations League, Spain, secured their spot in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win against Serbia. Despite the absence of key players who played a crucial role in their victory at Euro 2024, Luis de la Fuente’s team dominated the game and scored through Aymeric Laporte, Alvaro Morata and Alex Baena.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury, was replaced by Villarreal’s Baena while Mikel Merino was brought in for Barca’s Pedri. Spain extended their unbeaten streak to 14 games and created numerous opportunities, in contrast to the goalless draw against Serbia in September.
Laporte opened the scoring early on with a header from Pedro Porro’s cross, while Merino hit the post and had a shot blocked in the first half. Despite missing a penalty, Morata remained determined and eventually found the back of the net with an accurate finish assisted by Fabian Ruiz. Serbia’s Strahinja Pavlovic was sent off in the final minutes for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal, who had scored the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final. Baena sealed the win for Spain with a well-taken free-kick, while Pedri hit the crossbar in the dying moments of the game.
Overall, it was a satisfying performance for the European champions in Cordoba.
