Spain keeps Group 3 lead without Huijsen or Cucurella

Spain secured a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Oviedo on Saturday night, remaining top of Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League A with nine points from three matches, despite neither Dean Huijsen nor Marc Cucurella featuring in the match.

Goals and dismissal

Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino scored for Spain, while Jiri Sláma netted the sole consolation goal for the Czech Republic. The Czech captain, Vladislav Krejci, received a red card before the end of the match.

Resting of starters and alternative line‑ups

Coach Luis de la Fuente chose to rest centre‑back Dean Huijsen and left‑back Marc Cucurella, after they had completed the full 90 minutes in the 4-1 win over Croatia. That appearance marked the return of Huijsen to the national team, his first since March, after being omitted from the 2026 World Cup squad.

In defence, Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Club replaced Huijsen and paired up with Robin Le Normand of Atlético Madrid; intriguingly, both were born in France.

Cucurella was replaced by Fran García, a former Real Madrid player now wearing the Real Betis shirt. García came on as a substitute for Álex Grimaldo, who withdrew due to a muscle injury and returned to his club, Atlético Madrid.

The promising striker Carlos Espí also remained out of the squad and did not feature on the bench, despite having been recently called up from the under‑21 side. Moreover, winger Víctor Muñoz of Liverpool came on in the second half to replace Lamine Yamal of Barcelona.

Spain will close this international window by facing Croatia in Split on Tuesday night, and will finish the group stage with matches against the Czech Republic in Prague and against England in Madrid in November.