Spain advanced in the Nations League with a hard-fought win over the Czech Republic in Malaga. While Portugal faltered in Switzerland, the Spanish side moved to the top of the group, with two games left to decide who reaches the final four of the competition.
Although the performance against the Czech Republic was far from flawless, the atmosphere at La Rosaleda carried the team to victory. Malaga welcomed back the national squad, and the players delivered. Spain showed signs of fatigue late in the game, yet goals from Carlos Soler and Sarabia, along with Gavi’s influence in the second half, secured three crucial points. Ansu Fati, however, saw limited playing time once again.
The match began with intensity but lacked invention as the players wrestled with end-of-season weariness. The ball tended to stay with the players already on the field, and the Czech side used their shape to press high and disrupt Spain’s rhythm. Coach Luis Enrique watched from the touchline as Spain struggled to unlock the guests’ defensive lines.
Set in the center of the park, Rodri anchored midfield with Soler and Koke alongside him. The ensemble looked to be lacking the creativity needed to connect with the forwards. The Czech Republic benefited from quick transitions led by Soucek and, in particular, Kuchta, who tested Spain early on. Cerny produced a notable warning with a strike from just outside the area in the 17th minute. Unai Simón answered with careful handling and calm distribution.
Nerves crept into the home side, with Marcos Alonso appearing unusually uncertain. Yet Unai Simón again came to the rescue on a one-on-one scenario against Kuchta, keeping Spain in the tie and buying time for recovery.
best possible response
Spain found their rhythm in the 23rd minute through a decisive combination on the right. Koke timed a perfect run and linked with Asensio, who showed strength on the flank. The Mallorca man steadied himself, looked up, and delivered a precise cross that Soler met with a composed finish. It was Soler’s first goal for Spain, and it opened the match in a way that allowed La Roja to breathe and push forward with more purpose.
The goal brought relief and a new sense of direction. Asensio stepped forward to spearhead the attack, threatening the Czech goalkeeper and drawing a potential penalty. Carlos Soler moved into a more forward role, while the rest of the team joined in to support the charge. The Czech side retreated, recognizing that Spain was beginning to impose its style with greater ambition, longer build-ups, and sharper interchanges on the flanks. Only after Soler’s finish did the visitors begin to feel the growing pressure from the hosts.
Morata battled hard against the Czech central defenders, while Olmo and Soler worked to create space. The Madrid player showed a combative edge and, with help from Soler, began to carve out lanes for a potential breakthrough before the World Cup schedule demands become pressing. The shift in Spain’s approach brought a clearer path to goal and more cohesion across the attack.
After the break, maintaining the tempo proved difficult for Spain. The wings lacked balance and pressing intensity proved harder to sustain. Pesek exposed a vulnerability down the right as Carvajal was forced into a recovery challenge, and Unai Simón faced a testing moment in a sequence that nearly altered the balance of play.
Ferran and Gavi on stage
To lift the mood and inject energy, Luis Enrique brought on Ferran Torres and Gavi. The midfielder added bite and gave Spain a renewed sense of urgency. Gavi’s presence pushed the team forward and pressed higher, reenergizing the midfield and helping to pin the visitors back in their own half.
Asensio was replaced by Sarabia, who assumed a deeper role in a false-nine arrangement, with Olmo operating wide on one side and Ferran Torres on the other. The trio linked up with Sarabia and leveraged Gavi’s forward thrust to pressure in the final third. In a swift counter sequence, Olmo released Ferran, whose cross found Sarabia in a dangerous position. The shot beat the goalkeeper and doubled Spain’s lead, with the Barcelona forward keeping a strong connection with the target throughout the move.
The second goal, coming in the seventh minute of active play after the switch, underscored the new Spanish approach. Olmo initiated the counter and threaded the ball to Ferran, who laid it into a clear path for Sarabia. The finish was clinical, and it highlighted the effective chemistry between Olmo, Ferran, and Sarabia on the flank and in central areas.
Spain protected the lead with discipline and determination, celebrating a win that felt deserved and necessary. The result left a favorable position for Spain to confirm a place in the last four, especially with Portugal’s defeat handing them a potential route to the finals. The victory was celebrated by the home fans as a party, reflecting a night that offered both relief and optimism for Luis Enrique’s squad.
Cited: Nations League group stage performance and match events as reported in contemporary roundups of the game.