Lamine Yamal extends decisive run against Croatia

Lamine Yamal has extended his decisive run for club and country, adding two goals and an assist against Croatia in the Nations League. His latest display made him a direct contributor in each of his last eight appearances and strengthened his influence with Spain.

Yamal struck in the second minute before setting up Marc Pubill to restore Spain’s lead after Croatia had levelled. He then scored again in the 63rd minute, leaving Spain 3-1 ahead at that stage. The Barcelona forward was replaced seven minutes later after receiving an ovation at Seville’s Sanchez Pizjuan.

The 11 goals and seven assists recorded across his last eight matches give him an average of 2.25 goal contributions per appearance during the sequence. The Croatia game also marked the first time he had combined at least one goal and one assist in the same match for Spain.

His run had already included two-goal performances against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Levante. He also registered a goal and two assists against Feyenoord and Santander, supplied two assists against Sevilla and scored against England at Wembley. Croatia therefore became the latest opponent unable to contain his current production.