Spain secured a 2-0 victory over a ten-man Czechia in a Nations League clash held in Prague on Jeudi, maintaining their flawless competitive run. The win marked the 44th consecutive competitive match without defeat for Spain, including five straight victories in this season’s Nations League.
The game’s opening goal came in the 39th minute when Alex Baena converted a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Czech midfielder Lukas Ambros inside the box. Baena’s confident spot-kick beat goalkeeper Matej Kovar, who managed to get a hand on the ball but could not prevent the score.
With Spain already assured of a quarter-final spot before arriving in Prague, the team now turns its focus to a decisive Group A3 encounter against England in Madrid this Sunday.
Disciplinary Blow for Czechia and Late Insurance Goal
The second half saw a significant turning point when Czech captain Ladislav Krejci was shown a red card in the 69th minute for a foul on Espagnol substitute Roberto Fernandez during a swift counter-attack. This dismissal echoed a similar incident in their last meeting, where Krejci was also sent off as Spain triumphed 3-1 at home.
Deep into stoppage time, substitute Marc Pubill sealed the victory with a precise low shot that slipped past Kovar, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Czech back line. This late goal underscored Spain’s dominance and ability to capitalize on numerical advantage.
Spain’s squad, however, was affected by absences due to injury and illness. Head coach Luis de la Fuente was without key players including Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Eric Garcia, while Mikel Oyarzabal missed the match due to flu.
Despite a slow start on a chilly evening, Spain controlled the tempo of the match throughout the first half, never allowing the Czech hosts to establish any significant threat. Their composed performance ensured the continuation of their impressive unbeaten streak and positioned them strongly ahead of the crucial upcoming fixture.