Croatia suffered the biggest defeat in its history as Spain thrashed it 6-0 in Tuesday's Nations League match at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. Marco Asensio scored once and set up four more in Luis Enrique's second match in charge, as the World Cup finalist was run ragged in Elche.
Saul Niguez headed Spain in front before Asensio fired in two spectacular strikes, although the second was credited as an own goal from Lovre Kalinic. Croatia, for whom Ivan Rakitic was making his 100th appearance, rarely got to grips with its opponent and conceded three times more in the second half through Rodrigo Moreno, Sergio Ramos and Isco.
The result is its heaviest ever defeat, the first time it has conceded six goals and the first game in which it has let in five since a 5-1 loss to England in 2009.
Ivan Santini and Ivan Perisic missed good early chances before Spain seized control 23 minutes in, as Saul headed the ball in off the turf after being picked out by Dani Carvajal's sublime cross.
It got worse for Croatia before the break as Asensio grabbed two memorable goals in the space of two minutes, first blasting beyond Kalinic from 25 yards before driving towards the box and curling a stunning effort that smacked the crossbar and went in off the unfortunate goalkeeper.
Zlatko Dalic cut a furious figure on the touchline, and his mood darkened just four minutes after the restart, when Rodrigo beat the offside trap to latch onto a pass from Asensio and slot between Kalinic's legs.
The Real Madrid winger got his second assist of a spectacular display before the hour mark, his corner finding the head of the unmarked Ramos, who made no mistake from eight yards out.
A memorable result was capped by a stylish sixth from Isco, who took a touch from Asensio's pass and fired high into the net across the helpless Kalinic.
What does it mean? Spain lead the way in Group 4
With two wins from two and a goal difference of +7, Spain is firmly in charge of the three-team Nations League pool. More importantly, it is off to a winning start under Luis Enrique, with its performances in Elche and against England at Wembley a stark reminder of the quality it possesses, which seemed to go missing in its tempestuous World Cup campaign.
Croatia will hope to get its first Nations League points when it hosts England next month.
Pat on the back: Asensio unplayable
A somewhat surprise starter given Iago Aspas' showing against England, Asensio repaid his coach with arguably the finest performance of his career.
His first goal was emphatic and he deserved his second effort to go straight in, rather than deflect off the back of the keeper. Three superbly weighted deliveries of different styles gifted his side further goals in the second half and underlined his remarkable quality.
Boot up the backside: Spain live la Vida loca
This looked a long way from the Croatia side which reached the World Cup final two months ago, and that was summed up appropriately by the performance of Domagoj Vida.
The centre-back was consistently excellent in Russia but was given a torrid time here. He was unable to cope with the pace of Asensio or Rodrigo, was pulled out of position far too often and lost Ramos at a corner for Spain's fifth.
What's next?
Spain's next match takes place in exactly a month, when it visits Cardiff for a friendly match four days before hosting England in the Nations League.
Croatia meets the Three Lions in a repeat of the World Cup semi-final on October 12 in Rijeka.
Comments
SHARE