Yamal strikes again as Spain beat Czech Republic and extend unbeaten run

Goals from Lamine Yamal and Rodri established a comfortable first-half advantage, but the visitors threatened a comeback before a late Mikel Merino strike finally secured the points.

Playing a home international in Oviedo for the first time in 11 years, Luis de la Fuente’s side were strong favourites against opponents who had drawn once and lost four times in their previous five matches.

Match highlight

Spain needed only six minutes to make their superiority count. Yamal curled a superb effort into the far corner from 18 metres, opening the scoring for La Roja for the third consecutive match.

The goal launched a dominant opening spell. Dani Olmo was denied from close range before Antonin Kinsky stood firm to repel successive efforts from Alex Baena and Pedri.

Santi Denia’s visitors gradually slowed Spain’s attacking momentum, but they could not prevent the hosts from doubling their lead in the 35th minute. Rodri seized on a loose ball inside the penalty area and drove an accurate finish into the top corner.

With Tuesday’s trip to Croatia approaching, De la Fuente withdrew Yamal and Baena at the interval to give both attackers a rest.

The changes initially did little to disrupt Spain’s control, and Roberto Fernandez tested Kinsky with a low shot early in the second half.

However, the Czech Republic refused to surrender and were rewarded in the 69th minute. Adam Hlozek supplied Jiri Slama, whose finish into the bottom corner reduced the deficit and gave the visitors renewed belief.

Their confidence grew as the match entered its final quarter-hour, and substitute Ryan Naderi thought he had equalised with a close-range finish. Spain were spared, however, when the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the build-up.

The hosts received another reprieve with five minutes remaining when Ladislav Krejci collected a second yellow card for a heavy challenge on Fernandez.

With a numerical advantage, Spain regained control and finally ended the visitors’ resistance through Merino, who finished following a scramble inside the penalty area.

The victory kept La Roja firmly on top of Group A3 and took their remarkable unbeaten sequence to 31 wins and 10 draws, although the Czech Republic ensured the closing stages were considerably less comfortable than Spain’s early dominance had suggested.