World champions Spain kept up their flawless start to the Nations League campaign by beating the Czech Republic in Oviedo.
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock in the sixth minute, curling an excellent strike from the edge of the box inside the far post even though three defenders surrounded him.
Rodri, the former Manchester City midfielder now playing for Barcelona, made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, driving at the away defence, combining with Dani Olmo and smashing the ball into the top corner from close to the penalty spot.
Jiri Slama reduced the deficit for the visitors in the 69th minute, beating Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya with a low shot.
The Czechs finished the match with 10 men after Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci was dismissed for two bookable offences, and Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino then wrapped up the win by converting a loose ball in the 89th minute.
Spain have now won 10 matches in a row, dating back to a surprise 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the group stage of the World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente’s team have nine points from three Nations League fixtures and remain top of Group A3, three points clear of England, who crushed Croatia 7-0 in the section’s other game earlier on Saturday.
Spain travels to Croatia on Tuesday, where a win would send them into the quarter-finals with two group games still to play.
They then visit Prague to face the Czech Republic on 12 November, before finishing the group phase against England on 15 November at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.
Spain, who defeated Argentina 1-0 to claim the 2026 World Cup, lifted the Nations League in 2023 and were runners-up in 2021 and 2025. The Nations League quarter-finals are staged in March, while the semi-finals and final follow in June.
