Croatia 1-2 Spain Player Ratings: Merino 8.9/10 as the Vatreni Are Denied by His Stunning Late Brace in a Breathtaking Comeback

Stadion Poljud produced one of the UEFA Nations League's most dramatic evenings, a match that swung completely in Spain's favour in the most unexpected of fashions as Mikel Merino's late brace completed a stunning comeback that Croatia will reflect upon with enormous frustration long after this international window is forgotten. Ivan Perisic's 18th-minute opener gave the hosts the perfect platform, and for much of the contest Slaven Bilic's side looked entirely capable of holding Luis de la Fuente's reigning European champions at arm's length.

Merino's composed 61st-minute finish drew the Spain national football team level and fundamentally altered the psychological dynamic of a contest Croatia had controlled, yet the evening's defining moment of cruel drama arrived in the 79th minute when Perisic, the man who had given the Croatia national football team such hope, was shown his second yellow card and dismissed, leaving Bilic's side to defend their Nations League point with ten men for the final 11 minutes.

They could not hold on. Mikel Merino, already the equaliser's scorer, arrived with devastating composure in the 89th minute to complete his brace and break Croatian hearts in the most dramatic circumstances, handing Spain all three points in a match that had appeared destined for a draw with seconds remaining. For De la Fuente's side, ten points from four Nations League matches send a commanding statement, while Croatia's brave ten-man performance ultimately counted for nothing against a Spanish side that simply refuses to accept defeat. Check out the Croatia vs Spain player ratings.

Croatia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Spain

Here are the Croatia national football team player ratings from the Croatia vs Spain player ratings.

Spain National Football Team Player Ratings vs Croatia

Have a look at the Spain national football team player ratings from the Croatia vs Spain player ratings.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Mikel Merino.