Reigning UEFA Nations League champions Spain maintained their unbeaten record against Serbia, securing a comfortable 3-0 win at a packed Estadio Nuevo Arcángel. This result extends Spain’s dominance in their three head-to-head encounters (two wins, one draw).Serbia faced an uphill battle from the start, with Spain having lost just twice in their last 24 games (20 wins, two draws). It took only five minutes for Spain to open the scoring amidst heavy rain in Córdoba. Pedro Porro delivered a precise cross to the back post, where Aymeric Laporte rose to head the ball neatly into the far corner.Spain’s control was relentless as the match moved past the 15-minute mark. Mikel Oyarzabal’s solo effort was blocked by Predrag Rajković, and Mikel Merino’s header hit the post following a corner. Rajković was tested again shortly after the 30-minute mark, making an impressive save to tip Oyarzabal’s goal-bound shot around the post.With Serbia yet to score in any of their meetings with Spain, manager Dragan Stojković made halftime changes, bringing on Marko Grujić and Luka Jović to inject some life into the attack. However, it was Spain that nearly extended their lead in the 54th minute. Álvaro Morata missed a golden opportunity, sending his penalty well over the bar after a handball by Veljko Birmančević. Serbia had a chance to capitalize shortly after, but Aleksandar Mitrović uncharacteristically missed from close range. Spain made no such mistake moments later, as Morata redeemed himself with a composed finish past Rajković after a slick one-two with Fabián Ruiz.Pedri Assist 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/h69UBhU6em— 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢 𝐅𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐄𝐫𝐚 (@HflickEra) October 15, 2024 Serbia’s evening worsened further in the 76th minute. Strahinja Pavlović saw his initial yellow card upgraded to a red after VAR determined he had denied a clear goalscoring chance. Moments later, Álex Baena curled the resulting free-kick past Rajković with precision, sealing the outcome.Late on, substitute Pedri nearly added his name to the scoresheet, but his shot struck the crossbar. The win secured Spain’s place in the quarter-finals, set for next year. As for Serbia, they now face a tough challenge, needing to win their final two matches against Switzerland and Denmark to keep their hopes of progressing alive and avoid relegation.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE A – GROUP STAGETuesday Poland – Croatia 3-3 (2-3)/Zielinski 5, Zalewski 45, Szymanski 68 – Sosa 19, Sucic 24, Baturina 26/Scotland – Portugal 0-0Spain – Serbia 3-0 (1-0)/Laporte 5, Morata 65, Baena 77/Switzerland – Denmark 2-2 (2-1)/Freuler 26, Amdouni 45+1 – Isaksen 27, Eriksen 69/
