Croatia 3-2 Spain: 5 talking points | UEFA Nations League 2018-19

Spain and Croatia went into their UEFA Nations League game in Zadar under very different circumstances. While a draw would have seen Spain through to the semi-finals, Croatia were under pressure to win the game and stay alive.

In a topsy-turvy game, it was Croatia who came out on top, keeping their chances of making the semi-finals live.

Spain although top of the group, don't have their fate in their own hands. They need a draw between England and Croatia at Wembley to advance. It was an unlikely hero in Tin Jedvaj for Croatia, as he scored 2 goals in the game, including the stoppage-time winner.

Spain has suffered back to back losses, which is the reason they now find themselves in this situation, but they still are the only team who can't be relegated, that honour falling to either England or Croatia with their match at Wembley being a case of all or nothing for both nations.

We look back at 5 points from the game between Spain and Croatia.

#5 Croatia pour in the attacks early

While Spain had a hard time creating scoring opportunities early in the game, the Croatians went all guns blazing straight from the off. They were attacking from the word go. Ivan Perisic was the prime troublemaker for the Spanish defence, letting go of shots whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Perisic had an early effort saved by De Gea, and another shot which went across the face of goal. The World Cup finalists utilised their wings very well. They commandeered the wide positions and put in a number of low crosses to their attackers. Spain managed to hang tight during this period, but they were under immense pressure.

Luka Modric also had a good scoring opportunity, but he thought better of it to attempt a cut-back. Spain managed to weather the storm, but still went on to lose in the end. While Croatia attempted a lot in the first half, Spain didn't attempt many shots from the chances they got.

#4 The Croatian defence too good or the Spanish attack too weak

You can put it either way. Spain had a plethora of opportunities that should have resulted in a goal, but no matter how many times they opened the Croatian defense up, they couldn't get shots away.

The Croatian defense did have a problem in dealing with lobbed balls and overlapping runs. Still, once the ball was inside the box, the Hrvatska players pressed the ball, allowing no room for a shot.

Iago Aspas had an early chance, but Lovren and Vida pressured him off. There was a good lobbed ball which could have been controlled and finished, but it wasn't to be. Ceballos had an opportunity inside the box as well, but he took too heavy a touch.

Missed opportunities forced Spain to try the long range tactic, but Kalinic was up to the task, learning from his previous mistakes. Spain could have sealed the game long before Croatia got into the mix, but it wasn't to be. All in all, either you appreciate the Croatian defense or you simply blame the young forwards of Spain.

#3 Spain doesn't utilise the wings well

Rusted on the pitch: Nothing much to do for Alba

Spain had at their disposal two good full-backs who could have exploited the large spaces Croatia left while going central, but for Lucho's tactics or whatever reason, Spain didn't attack much via the wings. The pace of Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto hardly came into action.

If Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto had run through the flanks, then Vrsaljko and Jedvaj would have been under pressure. Lucho certainly missed a trick by not giving instructions to exploit the wide area. We know how good Jordi Alba can be on the flanks, he could have beaten the wide defenders to open up spaces and put in cutbacks.

Sergi Roberto had a much easier task. While coming up against the young Tin Jedvaj, Sergi could have provided crosses easily or moved closer to the box to cut the ball back. It was strange not to see the full-backs run up and down the flanks, but certainly it caused things to move out of Spain's hands.

Sergi had a horrendous night, gave the ball away, caused a goal, and did nothing much up-front.

#2 Lack of game awareness costs Spain

Spain should have known that Croatia was looking for nothing less than a win. A draw is a thing they needed, but they tried too much to force the issue, and ended up losing. It wasn't a bad thing to attack, but their defense was opened up a lot of times.

Kramaric had a great chance to seal the game for Croatia, but David De Gea marginally saved the attempt. The first goal came off a poor attempt to pass the press of Croatia. Sergi lost composure while attempting a short pass, and that was headed by Perisic onto Kramaric's path.

The second goal from Jedvaj was a poor defensive error as well. Nobody marked the young fullback, and he had a free header at goal. Even De Gea didn't seem to move a muscle, a complete opposite of what he is at Manchester.

While Spain made fatal mistakes, they could have easily played for a draw. It is understood they wanted a win, but it wasn't necessary to throw caution to the wind and attempt to attack. A bit of intelligent play could have stopped the third goal. There was too much space for a shot, and there was no clearance for the fumble from De Gea.

It is easy pointing out the mistakes, but these mistakes are too childish to be made by professionals. And safe to say, mistakes cost Spain. They were not aware in the game, all night long.

#1 Should Kepa Arrizabalaga start?

It is a matter that has been noticed, more than a few times. When he plays for Spain, De Gea isn't the same person he is at Manchester United. At United, De Gea is awake all the time, and on his heels to react to anything.

But while donning the La Roja jersey, De Gea has not been able to justify his inclusion as a starter lately. It is only due to his stature he starts, rather than his performances. While dropping a world-class keeper is a tough task and needs a lot of courage, it is necessary. De Gea needs a short spell on the bench to come back stronger.

The events of Zagreb aren't entirely to be blamed on De Gea, but he could have done better. We expect that standard from De Gea, as he is better at United. If he isn't able to emulate that, then it has to be seen whether Kepa can do any better.

Lucho has to realise this. Kepa isn't a young kid anymore, he is playing for a world-class team under a great coach right now. This is the time Kepa can start.

De Gea made one or two good saves, but the mistakes are more glaring. The first Kramaric goal came off his laces. De Gea didn't seem to make himself wide enough, which could have saved the goal. The second goal cannot be blamed on him, it was a point-blank header which was always going in, but he could have at least tried to move some muscles. That is what reflex is all about.

The third goal was a bad save on De Gea's part. A keeper of his standard should have held the ball tight or pushed it away strongly. Instead, his touch just helped it to Jedvaj for a goal. Not just yesterday, he was also under-par against England.

A short bench spell doesn't do any damage, does it? Just for once, try Kepa. Maybe there will be a difference.

Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.