By OkayGoal 
Spain won 2-0 in Prague despite missing Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal, with Atlético Madrid’s Álex Baena converting a penalty and Marc Pubill adding a late second. The win keeps the world champions perfect in Nations League Group A3 and leaves them needing only a draw against England on Sunday.
Spain beat ten-man Czechia 2-0 at the Letná Stadium in Prague on Thursday. They did it without three of their leading names. Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal were all missing. Atlético Madrid’s Álex Baena struck from the spot, and Marc Pubill added a late second. The world champions remain perfect in Group A3 before Sunday’s decider against England.
Conditions were raw. The game was played in 4°C, with light drizzle and humidity above 90%, the Spanish federation said. Czechia are coached by the Spaniard Santi Denia.
Baena’s penalty broke a tight first half
Chances were scarce before the break. Dean Huijsen’s header was Spain’s only open-play effort on target in the first half, and it was easily saved. The breakthrough came from the penalty spot. Lukáš Ambros was penalised for handball in the area. Baena’s powerful penalty beat goalkeeper Matěj Kovář.
Spain thought they had doubled the lead after half-time. VAR ruled out an effort by Yéremy Pino. The game was physical. Referee Nikola Dabanovic booked Pedro Porro in the 12th minute and Mikel Merino in the 69th. He then dismissed Krejčí, leaving the hosts a man down for the closing stages.
Spain made the extra man count deep into added time. Pubill won the ball back in Czechia’s half and rolled it into the bottom corner. That settled the contest. For Atlético followers, Baena’s goal was the night’s highlight. Fermín López, by contrast, is still waiting for his first Spain goal.
A draw against England will be enough for top spot
The victory was Spain’s 12th in a row and their fifth straight win in the Nations League. ESPN said it stretched their record unbeaten run in all competitions. Spain’s last defeat came against Colombia in March 2024. Czechia, meanwhile, have lost every Nations League game this season.
England kept pace on the same night. They beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley and sit three points behind Spain. That sets up a straight shoot-out for first place. A draw against England at the Metropolitano on Sunday will be enough for Spain to finish first in the group.
Spain should also be stronger for that game. Yamal’s knee problem made Prague the first game he had missed for club or country this season. He had started all 20 previous matches, recording 17 goals and 13 assists. He will rejoin the squad for Sunday’s meeting with England.