{
  "id": 12490460,
  "title": "Merino double helps Spain beat Croatia, reach Nations League quarters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/merino-double-helps-spain-beat-croatia-reach-nations-league-quarters-12490460",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T23:04:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1549365/merino-double-helps-spain-beat-croatia-reach-nations-league"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "World Cup winners Spain secured their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Croatia on Tuesday, thanks to a brace from substitute Mikel Merino. Croatia took an early lead through Ivan Perisic, but Merino equalised early in the second half. Perisic was then sent off for a second yellow card, and Merino scored the winning goal with just two minutes left. This victory marked Spain's fourth win from four matches in Group A3 and extended their unbeaten streak to 42 games. Spain now leads England by three points at the top of the group.",
  "summary": "SPLIT: Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Merino double helps Spain beat Croatia, reach Nations League quarters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/merino-double-helps-spain-beat-croatia-reach-nations-league-quarters",
        "published": "2026-10-06T21:43:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}