UEFA Nations League: Spain beat England at Wembley, Croatia edge Czechia 2-1
Synopsis
Mikel Oyarzabal — scorer of the EURO 2024 final winner — struck again at Wembley to down England, while the evergreen Luka Modrić powered Croatia past Czechia. Two results, two reminders that Spain and Croatia's veteran leaders remain capable of deciding the biggest European occasions.
Key Takeaways
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decisive winner for Spain against England at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 opener.
England led 2-1 at half-time through Anthony Gordon and a deflected Harry Kane header, before Kane missed a penalty after the break.
Luka Modrić opened the scoring as Croatia beat Czechia 2-1 in Prague , with Marco Pasalic heading the winner.
Switzerland won 3-0 over North Macedonia in their first-ever League B campaign.
Joel Pohjanpalo scored the first hat-trick of the edition as Finland thrashed San Marino 7-0 in Group C1 .
Luxembourg claimed a 2-1 away win over Bulgaria in Group C4 after failing to win a single League C game in 2024/25 .
Mikel Oyarzabal once again proved England's nemesis as Spain secured a hard-fought victory at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League, while a Luka Modrić-inspired Croatia edged out Czechia 2-1 in a pulsating clash in Prague. Both results underlined the enduring quality of European football's established powers in the opening round of the 2026/27 edition.
Spain's Wembley Win: How It Unfolded
The match began at a blistering pace when Lamine Yamal put Spain ahead inside two minutes. England responded sharply, however, with Anthony Gordon levelling on the break before a Harry Kane header — which deflected off Marc Cucurella — gave the hosts a 2-1 lead at half-time.
The second half saw the momentum shift decisively. Kane squandered a golden opportunity from the spot, missing a penalty that could have extended England's advantage. Spain capitalised through substitute Alex Baena, who restored parity before setting up Oyarzabal 16 minutes from time to secure the win. Notably, Oyarzabal had also scored the decisive goal in the UEFA EURO 2024 final, cementing his status as one of European football's most clutch performers.
Croatia's Comeback in Prague
In Prague, the opening period was a measured, cagey affair, with Luka Sučić going close on the volley as the game's only major first-half chance. The second half, however, was anything but subdued. Luka Modrić — the veteran midfielder who shows no signs of slowing down — powered home an opener almost immediately after the restart.
Czechia responded with pace and purpose. Adam Hlozek played in Adam Karabec, who finished composedly to level at 1-1. The decisive blow came through Ivan Perišić, whose lofted cross was met by the head of Marco Pasalic to seal Croatia's 2-1 win.
Other Nations League Results
Switzerland made an emphatic start to their first-ever League B campaign, with Remo Freuler and Zeki Amdouni both striking before the interval to set up a comfortable 3-0 victory over North Macedonia.
In Group C1, Finland striker Joel Pohjanpalo announced himself in spectacular fashion, netting the first hat-trick of the 2026/27 Nations League edition as Finland romped to a 7-0 win over San Marino — a result that puts Pohjanpalo early in the top scorer race.
Luxembourg, who failed to record a single win in League C during the 2024/25 edition, wasted no time making amends, claiming a 2-1 away victory over Bulgaria in Group C4.
What to Watch Next
With Oyarzabal and Modrić both returning to form at the ideal moment, Spain and Croatia will be among the sides to watch as the Nations League group stage develops. England, meanwhile, will need to reassess after yet another painful home defeat to the reigning European champions.
Point of View
Not just a bad night. Kane missing a penalty when the hosts were in control was the turning point, and Spain's second-half substitutions proved sharper than England's. For Croatia, the real headline is Modrić: a midfielder deep into his thirties still opening the scoring in competitive internationals is a phenomenon that deserves more than a footnote. The broader Nations League picture in this opening round also suggests the mid-tier nations — Switzerland, Finland, Luxembourg — are closing the gap, which has implications for Euro qualifying cycles ahead.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the winning goal for Spain against England in the UEFA Nations League?
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decisive late goal for Spain at Wembley, 16 minutes from time , assisted by substitute Alex Baena. Oyarzabal had also scored Spain's winning goal in the UEFA EURO 2024 final.
How did England lose to Spain at Wembley in the Nations League?
England led 2-1 at half-time through an Anthony Gordon strike and a Harry Kane header that deflected off Marc Cucurella. Kane then missed a penalty in the second half, allowing Spain to equalise through Alex Baena before Oyarzabal clinched the win.
What was the result of Croatia vs Czechia in the UEFA Nations League?
Croatia beat Czechia 2-1 in Prague. Luka Modrić opened the scoring, Adam Karabec equalised for the hosts, and Marco Pasalic headed in Ivan Perišić's cross for the winner.
Who scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Nations League 2026/27?
Finland striker Joel Pohjanpalo scored the first hat-trick of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League edition, helping Finland to a 7-0 win over San Marino in Group C1.
How did Switzerland perform in their first League B campaign?
Switzerland made an impressive debut in League B, with Remo Freuler and Zeki Amdouni both scoring before half-time to seal a 3-0 win over North Macedonia.
