Spain beat Czech Republic to retain perfect Nations League record

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AFP)—Alex Baena scored from the spot, and Marc Pubill added another in the second half as Spain beat a ten-man Czech Republic 2-0 in the Nations League in Prague on Thursday.

The win leaves Spain unbeaten in 44 competitive games in a row, including five wins in as many Nations League games this season.

Spain, who already secured a quarter-final berth before travelling to Prague, will face England in Madrid on Sunday in their final Group A3 game.

Baena scored in the 39th minute after a VAR check revealed Czech midfielder Lukas Ambros had handled the ball inside the box.

The Atletico Madrid winger blasted his spot kick past Matej Kovar, who touched the ball but failed to clear it.

Czech captain Ladislav Krejci was sent off in the 69th minute after bringing down second-half substitute Roberto Fernandez on a counter-attack.

It was a deja-vu for the Wolverhampton defender, who also got a red card at the end of Spain's 3-1 home win over the Czechs last month.

Pubill, another substitute, beat Eindhoven goalkeeper Kovar with a clinical low shot deep into stoppage time after robbing Tomas Soucek.

"I want to appreciate the work of the entire team," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

"It was a difficult game against an energetic team with an aggressive style. We had moments when it cost us a lot of energy to control the game."

De la Fuentes missed Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Eric Garcia with injuries while Mikel Oyarzabal was sidelined with flu.

Spain got off to a slow start on the chilly evening but never really let the hosts get close throughout the first half.

They gradually stepped up their pressure, often confining the Czechs to their box and looking for chances.

- Yamal, Oyarzabal to return - Fabian Ruiz hit the post with a curling right-footer three minutes from halftime, while Dean Huijsen's header found Kovar's arms.

Yeremy Pino, replacing Yamal on the right flank, saw his goal overturned by VAR for offside just two minutes into the second half.

The Czechs showed higher spirits after the break, but David Zima tipped the ball over the bar from close range and Adam Hlozek's glancing header landed on the top of the crossbar.

The Czechs lost momentum after the red card, but Baena had two efforts cleared by Kovar and Fernandez saw his shot stopped by Kovar and then hit the post.

"The score could have been higher but we struggled with the finish," said de la Fuente.

He added Yamal and Oyarzabal would rejoin the team ahead of the England game.

"We have good news, they will join us tomorrow and will be ready for the England game," he continued. "If everything goes well, they can both play 90 minutes."

The hosts, led by de la Fuente's long-time collaborator Santi Denia, have lost all their Nations League games this season.

They are next travelling to Croatia for a game they need to win to stay in the top tier of the competition for the next edition.