Yamal scores twice as World Cup champions Spain extend unbeaten run to 40 games

Lamine Yamal scored twice and set up a third goal as Spain beat Croatia 4-1 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville on Tuesday, extending their unbeaten run to 40 matches in their first home fixture since claiming the World Cup in July.

The evening began with captain Rodri lifting the World Cup trophy in front of a raucous crowd before Spain got down to business. Yamal opened the scoring just two minutes in, and Croatia briefly levelled when Dion Drena Beljo netted his first international goal in the 29th minute. Marc Pubill restored Spain’s lead two minutes later with his own first international goal, converting an assist from Yamal. The teenager then added his second of the night in the 63rd minute before substitute Nico Williams sealed the victory in the 89th.

The result came four days after Spain rallied from behind to beat England 3-2 at Wembley, the win that had taken their streak to 39 games. They have now lost just one of their last 16 Nations League group matches and have won seven in a row in the competition.

Yamal’s form has been extraordinary across both club and country. The Barcelona forward has scored 11 goals in his last eight matches combined, a run that has drawn widespread admiration — including from his own head coach.

“He is a very generous footballer who puts all that talent at the service of the team,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “We are fortunate to have him with us. He is someone who is truly loved within the squad. We are very happy with him.”

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic offered no excuses after the defeat. “We know Spain are the best. There is no debate about that,” he said. “We knew that before kickoff. They have been the best side for several years. Against England, we did not see them play quite like this, but tonight there was simply too much space.”

Spain’s 40-match unbeaten run cements their status as the dominant force in international football, with a squad that blends the experience of a World Cup-winning core with the emerging brilliance of a 17-year-old already operating at the highest level.