Free-scoring Spain travel away to face Croatia
Free-scoring Spain and free-conceding Croatia conclude their September/October international breaks on Tuesday evening in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League.
Croatia were sensationally ripped to shreds by England on Saturday evening to a record-breaking 7-0 win.
It represented Croatia’s biggest-ever men’s defeat, as well as the first time in history that they had conceded five goals in a home match.
Now reeling from back-to-back defeats with a staggering 11 goals conceded, Croatia lie third in the League A Group 4 standings, three points clear of pointless Czechia and facing an identical deficit to second-placed England.
Bilic could do little but apologise to the nation after Saturday’s historic mauling.
Records continue to tumble at the feet of Spain, whose 4-1 success over Croatia in September marked their fourth consecutive win against the hosts, who have conceded at least twice in five of their last six meetings with Spain.
A meeting with the world champions shortly after an unprecedented defeat is a recipe for catastrophe for Croatia, but there ought to be no repeat of Saturday’s annihilation after that extremely harsh wake-up call.
Nevertheless, Bilic’s leaky men still have little chance of causing an upset against De la Fuente’s ruthless Roja, who are backed to extend their 100% record with ease.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
England to end international break at home to Czech Republic
Fresh off a historic crushing of Croatia, England conclude a mixed September/October international break at home to the Czech Republic in Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League showdown.
The Three Lions occupy second spot in League A Group 3 after putting seven past Croatia without reply, while their visitors still await their first point of the competition.
As well as subjecting Croatia to their worst-ever senior men’s loss – and becoming the first team to score 5+ goals in an away game against the Chequered Ones – England recorded their biggest margin of victory against a top-50 nation on record, since 1992.
Netting nine goals and conceding none in their last 180 minutes of football, England are now on the verge of winning three straight games with clean sheets for the first time in the current calendar year, having not achieved that feat since their World Cup Qualifying campaign in late 2025.
England fans have every reason to expect another one-sided goal-fest after the events of Saturday night, especially as Czech captain Krejci will watch on helplessly from the sidelines.
While we cannot envisage another seven-goal spectacular – or better – for the Three Lions, a convincing triumph and another clean sheet is surely on the cards.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Scotland welcome Group B1 rivals Slovenia
Keen to end the international break on strong footing, Scotland will welcome Group B1 rivals Slovenia to Hampden Park for a UEFA Nations League clash on Tuesday.
The hosts are looking to build on their win last time out, while the visitors are aiming to bounce back from a frustrating defeat.
Sebastien Pocognoli endured a difficult start to his Scotland tenure, but after finally earning his first victory in the dugout, there is a sense of relief heading into this match.
The former Monaco boss took charge of the national team after Steve Clarke’s resignation in the summer, and he marked his debut with a 0-0 draw against Tuesday’s opponents on September 26.
That disappointing stalemate was followed up by a thorough 3-0 beating by Switzerland three days later, though it must be said that Pocognoli’s side played with 10 men for the majority of the contest after having Jack Hendry sent off with just 11 minutes on the clock.
Scotland had gone four matches without a goal by the time were set to face North Macedonia on Saturday, but the Tartan Army bore witness to a 2-0 triumph in Skopje.
Seizing all three points for the first time under Pocognoli has changed the complexion of the current Nations League campaign, with the country now level on four points with their second-placed opponents.
Meanwhile, Bostjan Cesar‘s Slovenia have recorded the same results as Scotland so far (one win, one draw, one loss) and will by vying for a crucial victory in this promotion six-pointer.
Slovenia will be desperate to avoid falling behind in Group B1 on Tuesday, given the tight race that has developed for the promotion playoff spot.
Scotland will be buoyed by their victory last time out, but it is important to note that their win was against a struggling North Macedonia side.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Switzerland host Group B1 strugglers North Macedonia
With promotion already in sight, Switzerland will welcome Group B1 strugglers North Macedonia to the Thermoplan Arena on Tuesday for a showdown in the UEFA Nations League.
The Red Crosses will be looking for a fourth win on the bounce, while the Lions are desperate to avoid another defeat.
Murat Yakin‘s Switzerland have enjoyed an impressive Nations League campaign so far, and recording three wins from three has put them in a strong position ahead of this clash.
The Red Crosses recovered from their World Cup elimination by thoroughly beating Tuesday’s opponents 3-0 on September 26, racing into a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to Remo Freuler and Zeki Amdouni, before the latter secured the victory in the second.
Proving that the triumph was not a one-off, Yakin’s side repeated the 3-0 result against Scotland at Hampden Park three days later, before downing Slovenia 2-1 on Saturday.
That latest success required a comeback from Switzerland, who conceded a surprise second-minute goal on the counter from Zan Vipotnik, but had Dan Ndoye on hand to complete the turnaround before the interval.
Nine points from three games has put the Red Crosses firmly at the top of Group B1 – five clear of Slovenia and Scotland – and another win on Tuesday could see Yakin’s men confirm promotion to League A early, depending on the result between Scotland and Slovenia.
North Macedonia have failed to score in any of their matches across 2026 so far, and are unlikely to end that drought against the strongest team in Group B1.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
FIXTURES
League A – Group 3
League B – Group 1
Switzerland 18:45 North Macedonia
League C – Group 1
League C – Group 3
Kazakhstan 14:00 Faroe Islands
League C – Group 4
