Cubarsí, Fermín and Pedri Help Spain Win in Prague, Setting Up England Decider
Three Barça players featured as Spain beat Czechia 2-0 to keep a perfect Nations League group record. With Anthony Gordon's England also winning, Spain and England meet on November 15 for first place while Barça wait on Lamine Yamal's knee.
Barça had three players involved as Spain won in Prague on November 12. Pau Cubarsí started in central defense alongside Dean Huijsen. Fermín López started in midfield. Pedri came off the bench in the 77th minute, replacing Fabián Ruiz. Jorge de Frutos later came on for Fermín.
Cubarsí was also key to Spain’s build-up play from the back.
Luis de la Fuente called up five Barça players for this international break: Joan Garcia, Cubarsí, Fermín, Pedri and Lamine Yamal. Until the club’s next league game, the national teams carry the Barça story.
Barça players will face each other in the group decider
The Wembley result in the same group shapes what comes next. Morgan Rogers put England ahead in the 24th minute. Petar Sučić equalized for Croatia in the 59th.
Barça had players on both sides of that game. Dominik Livaković was in goal for Croatia. Barça winger Anthony Gordon had an attempt on goal for England before Croatia’s second-half equalizer. The win clinched England a quarterfinal spot, The FA said.
England’s only loss in the group came against Spain. The first meeting between the two teams was at Wembley on September 26. Spain came from behind to win 3-2 that night. Yamal scored for Spain, and Gordon scored for England.
The return match on November 15 will decide first place. Club teammates will again line up on opposite sides, with Gordon wearing England’s shirt and several of his Barça colleagues in Spain’s camp.
Yamal’s knee hangs over Spain and Barça
Spain played in Prague without Yamal. The 19-year-old picked up a knee knock in Barça’s 2-1 league win at Atlético Madrid. Before that knock, he had started all 20 of his club and country games this season, with 17 goals and 13 assists, ESPN reported.
Those numbers show how much both teams lean on him. A player who had started every game this season is now the main fitness question for club and country. Barça are waiting on news about his knee before the England match and the return to league play.
For the club, the calendar is clear. Once the Nations League group stage is over, Barça’s attention turns to LaLiga. Barça host Villarreal at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, November 22, at 2 p.m., in Week 13 of LaLiga.
