Spain 6 Croatia 0: Marco Asensio shines brightest as Spain run riot against World Cup finalists to maintain 100 per cent Nations League record
The Real Madrid star ran the show as Croatia suffered humiliating defeat in their first competitive match since the final in Moscow
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MARCO ASENSIO starred as Spain thrashed Croatia to make it two wins from two in the Nations League.
Asensio scored a beauty and was heavily involved in another four for Luis Enrique's side, who followed up their win over England with a comfortable victory.
After a shaky start, Saul Niguez gave the hosts the lead with a sensational team goal before the Real Madrid ace stole the show.
Asensio then set up Rodrigo, Sergio Ramos and Isco in the second half as Spain maintained their sensational record of not losing a competitive home game since June 2003 and Croatia endured their heaviest defeat.
Zlatko Dalic's side started the better of the two sides as Ivan Rakitic, making his 100th international cap, almost pounced on Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets' uncharacteristic sloppiness, but bent his shot just wide of the post with just five minutes played.
Ivan Santini then got in front of his marker at the near post but couldn't redirect the ball inside David De Gea's post and Dani Carvajal made a brilliant interception as the World Cup finalists looked to carry on where they left off in Russia.
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But Saul got his second Nations League goal in some style, albeit against the run of play, and the floodgates opened.
Ramos pinged across a trademark ball to Carvajal, who controlled well and put in a cross with the outside of the boot which Saul ran on to and got above the defender to head in.
The goal sparked life into Enrique's side, who doubled their lead through Asensio's first senior international goal, latching on to a loose pass in midfield and firing a venomous strike past Lovre Kalinic before the goalkeeper even moved.
And just two minutes later, it was three as Asensio cut in off the right and let fly with another brilliant effort from outside the area, the ball bouncing off the bar and then Kalinic's back into the goal.
Spain didn't let up after the break as Rodrigo latched on to that man Asensio's through ball for his fourth goal in six international starts, adding to his Wembley goal on Saturday.
Ramos got in on the act, too, as the Croatian defence lost the captain at an Asensio corner and he found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
The 22-year-old was not done there, though, as he again found space down the right and passed into Isco, who took a touch and fired an outrageous finish into the top corner.
Spain scored six, it could have been double figures with Isco, Rodrigo, Thiago and Dani Ceballos all going close late on.
It is good news for England with Croatia's goal difference taking a real hit in Group A4 but the looming trip to Spain next month will have Gareth Southgate worried, especially if Asensio has anything to do about it.
