Czechia 0-2 Spain: World champions continue perfect Nations League campaign

Spain's perfect start to the Nations League continued as the world champions breezed past 10-man Czechia 2-0 at epet Arena on Thursday.

La Roja, who are already qualified for the quarter-finals, extended their Group A3 lead with a fifth straight win thanks to goals in either half from Álex Baena and Marc Pubill.

A red card for Czechia captain Ladislav Krejčí in between Spain's two goals made the task somewhat easier, though the visitors were without Barcelona star Lamine Yamal due to injury.

Spain dominated from the start without causing Czechia too many issues early on, until Ferran Torres and Marc Cucurella both fired off target.

A Dean Huijsen header was then fumbled and regathered by Matěj Kovář before Pau Cubarsí thumped a powerful effort off the crossbar from Cucurella's improvised, scooped cross.

Spain eventually got their breakthrough from the penalty spot after Lukáš Ambros was penalised for a handball following a VAR review, and Baena confidently dispatched from 12 yards in the 39th minute.

Fabián Ruiz then curled a stunning effort against the right post before the break, and Spain started the second half on the front foot as well.

Yéremy Pino raced onto a long ball over the top from Unai Simón and fired past Kovář while one-on-one less than two minutes into the second half, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

Czechia threatened a comeback, with Adam Hložek thumping a header off the crossbar 68 minutes in, but it all unravelled four minutes later as Krejčí was sent off for a last-man foul on Roberto Fernández after another VAR intervention.

Spain turned up the heat again after that, and their pressure eventually told in the 96th minute when substitute Pubill picked Tomáš Souček's pocket on the edge of the box to slot home seconds after Fernández had struck the foot of the right post.

Will anybody be able to stop Spain?

Spain look to be an unstoppable force under Luis de la Fuente as they extended their winning run to 12 games in all competitions, with their unbeaten streak currently standing at 43 matches.

Czechia were not expected to provide the sternest test, having already seen their place as the bottom team in Group A3 confirmed during the last international break, but it was a composed performance from the world champions.

They have gone three away games without defeat against Czechia (W1 D2) and have not lost to the nation since 1990, when they competed as Czechoslovakia.

Spain were utterly dominant, racking up 22 shots worth 3.58 expected goals (xG), suggesting they underperformed in front of goal. They had five shots on target and hit the woodwork three times.

Czechia gave some warning signs, despite failing to get any of their 13 shots on target, and they are without a win since June, when they beat Guatemala in a friendly.

But Spain's unbeaten run will be put to the test again on Sunday, as they are set to battle it out for top spot with England in Madrid.