Spain vs Croatia National Football Team Lineups

Recent Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)

Date Competition Result
June 2023 Nations League Final Spain won (5-4 on penalties, 0-0 AET)
September 2022 Nations League Croatia 2-1 Spain
June 2021 Euro 2020 R16 Spain 5-3 Croatia (AET)
November 2018 Nations League Spain 2-3 Croatia
September 2018 Nations League Spain 6-0 Croatia

Latest Typical Lineups

Spain (4-3-3)

Position Player
GK Unai Simón
RB Dani Carvajal
CB Aymeric Laporte
CB Robin Le Normand
LB Alejandro Balde
CM Rodri
CM Gavi
CM Pedri
RW Lamine Yamal
ST Álvaro Morata
LW Dani Olmo

Croatia (4-3-3)

Position Player
GK Dominik Livaković
RB Josip Juranović
CB Joško Gvardiol
CB Martin Erlić
LB Borna Sosa
CM Luka Modrić
CM Marcelo Brozović
CM Mateo Kovačić
RW Mario Pašalić
ST Bruno Petković
LW Ivan Perišić

Key Statistics

  • Total Matches Played: 10
  • Spain Wins: 5
  • Croatia Wins: 3
  • Draws: 2
  • Goals Scored by Spain: 22
  • Goals Scored by Croatia: 15

Notable Match

The most dramatic recent encounter was during Euro 2020’s Round of 16, where Spain emerged victorious in an eight-goal thriller. The match ended 5-3 after extra time, with Spain showing remarkable resilience to bounce back after Croatia’s late equalizer in normal time.

Current FIFA Rankings

  • Spain: #8
  • Croatia: #10

Both teams are renowned for their technical ability and midfield excellence. Spain’s possession-based approach contrasts with Croatia’s more direct counter-attacking style, though both sides are capable of adapting their tactics based on the opposition. The rivalry between these two nations has produced some of the most entertaining matches in recent international football.

Spanish Squad Mainstays

The Spanish national team has consistently fielded world-class talent, with players like Sergio Busquets, Pedri, and Álvaro Morata forming the core of their recent lineups. The midfield has been particularly crucial, carrying forward Spain’s tradition of technical excellence and possession-based football.

Croatian Team Evolution

Croatia’s lineup has centered around their legendary midfielder Luka Modrić, who has been the team’s catalyst for over a decade. The team has successfully integrated younger talents like Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić while maintaining their competitive edge in international competitions.

Tactical Formations

Both teams typically employ possession-based systems, with Spain often utilizing a 4-3-3 formation while Croatia has shown flexibility between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 setups. These formations allow both sides to maximize their technical midfield players’ abilities.

Impact Players from Both Sides

The matchups between these teams have showcased exceptional talent, with players like Dani Olmo for Spain and Marcelo Brozović for Croatia often playing decisive roles. The goalkeeper position has been particularly strong for both nations, with Unai Simón establishing himself as Spain’s number one and Dominik Livaković earning plaudits for Croatia.