Gvardiol Admits Croatia Could Not Contain Spain Star Lamine Yamal
Croatia must regroup for a home Nations League meeting with England behind closed doors after Spain’s world champions swept aside Slaven Bilic’s side in Seville, led by Lamine Yamal’s two goals and decisive assist.
Yamal exposes Croatia’s defensive problem
Josko Gvardiol said Croatia knew the Barcelona teenager’s threat but could not consistently contain him when Spain created isolated duels. Yamal repeatedly found room against the Croatian back line and drove Spain’s commanding display.
Gvardiol stressed that allowing the winger to attack one-on-one is a major risk. “Everyone knows the kind of player Yamal is,” he said. “Give him space in a duel and he will use it. He needs two players around him. Sometimes that works and sometimes it does not. Even on a bad day, he can beat his man at least 10 times.”
Early setback changed the contest
Croatia conceded early and never properly settled against the world champions. Gvardiol felt his team approached the match too cautiously, allowing Spain to establish control before Croatia could build any momentum.
- Spain struck early in Seville, putting Croatia immediately under pressure.
- Yamal took centre stage with two goals and an assist as Spain extended their dominance.
- Dion Drena Beljo scored Croatia’s only goal, but the visitors could not mount a sustained recovery.
- Croatia now return home to face England within days, with no crowd permitted for the fixture.
“It was a difficult match and a difficult defeat,” Gvardiol said. “They are world champions for a reason. We knew the challenge of playing away there, but we showed them too much respect. The early goal affected us and it became very hard to come back.”
Beljo sees defensive failures in the final third
Beljo’s goal offered Croatia limited consolation. The striker said Spain’s quality had been expected, but Croatia were frustrated by how freely their opponents reached dangerous areas.
“We knew we were facing the world champions and a top team,” Beljo said. “But it leaves a bitter feeling because we could have been better, especially defensively. They were getting into the final third too easily.”
England next as Croatia chase response
Gvardiol has turned attention quickly to the Three Lions, with Croatia seeking points and a stronger performance despite the absence of supporters at their home ground.
“It is a demanding schedule, with England coming in a few days,” he said. “It will be tougher without the fans, but we are at home and will try to take as many points as we can.”
Key takeaways
- Yamal delivered two goals and one assist in Spain’s victory over Croatia.
- Gvardiol admitted Croatia failed to limit Yamal’s one-on-one opportunities.
- An early Spanish goal left Croatia chasing the game for most of the night.
- Beljo scored Croatia’s lone goal but criticised the team’s defending near their own box.
- Croatia’s next test is England at home, played without public attendance.
