Spain hit Croatia for a six

ELCHE, September 12

Spain’s golden era is often described as being constructed on a base of Barcelona players but the team’s future looks set to revolve around footballers from Real Madrid if the resounding 6-0 hammering of Croatia on Tuesday is anything to go by.

Four of the six goals Spain scored in the UEFA Nations League game at Elche came from Real players, who comprised six of the starting XI of the national team for the first time in 16 years.

The line-up allayed fears aired in the Spanish media when former Barca coach Luis Enrique was appointed as manager that he would exclude players from Real due to his previous dislike for the club.

Real forward Marco Asensio dominated the headlines with two venomous strikes against Croatia — the second was officially given as an own goal to goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic —and three assists. Asensio’s club teammates Sergio Ramos and Isco also scored in the biggest defeat in Croatia’s history. — Reuters

Important results

• Spain 6-0 Croatia
• Belgium 3-0 Iceland
• Finland 1-0 Estonia
• Hungary 2-1 Greece
• MOLDOVA 0-0 BELARUS