Arsenal Football News
Saka at the double and Merino scores for Spain
2026-10-04 · Charlie Peat
Bukayo Saka got his first Nations League goals of the break and Mikel Merino rounded things off for Spain

Bukayo Saka scored twice to help England run out 7-0 winners over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
Starting his third match in a row for Thomas Tuchel's side, Saka helped the Three Lions run riot in Rijeka, netting four times in the first half as Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham and then Bukayo all found the net.
The goals continued to flow for England in the second half as Kane netted his second before our number 7 did the same, pouncing on a defensive mishap to net his 19th international goal. Morgan Rogers then rounded off the scoring on an impressive night for England.
At the back, Ezri Konsa started and played the full 90 minutes, having missed out against Czechia. Ebere Eze was introduced on 70 minutes for Gordon, with Myles Lewis-Skelly coming on for the final 11 minutes in Rijeka.
They move into second position on their League A group, three points behind Spain, who defeated Czechia 3-1 in Oviedo.
David Raya, fresh from winning Premier League save of the Month, was starting his first match of the international break, as Spain raced into a 2-0 lead through Lamine Yamal and Rodri.
Jiri Slama pulled a goal back for Czech's but Spain, who introduced Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino in the second half, would clinch the victory late on.
Merino, as he did on two occasions during the World Cup, clinched the victory with a late goal to help extend Spain's winning run to 10 matches and firmly on course to top Group 3.
They will travel to Croatia for the final match of the break, with England hosting Czechia in the same group.
Outside of Europe and history was being made in Kolkata as Brazil played India in a first meeting between the two nations.
Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel Magalhaes were named on the bench as Brazil raced into a 2-0 half-time lead before the pair were introduced in the second half.
Brazil added two further goals through Samuel Lino to complete a comprehensive win for the South American side.
That concludes Brazil's international break, with our pair now returning to London as we start preparing for a return of Premier League football.
Wednesday, September 23
Gibraltar 0-0 Sao Tome & Principe - Scanlon played 45 minutes
Thursday, September 24
Netherlands 1-1 Germany - Havertz started, subbed after 30 minutes, Timber not in squad
Serbia 1-2 Greece - Tzolis started, scored equaliser in comeback win
Norway 3-2 Denmark - Odegaard started, provided two assists
Friday, September 25
Australia 1-1 Brazil - Bruno stars, plays 62 minutes. Gabriel an unused sub
Georgia 0-1 Northern Ireland - O'Neill plays the final 10 minutes from the bench
Italy 0-2 Belgium - Calafiori starts, plays full 90 minutes
Sweden 2-1 Romania - Gyokeres starts, scores winning goal
Saturday, September 26
England 2-3 Spain - Konsa, Saka and Lewis-Skelly all start, Merino comes on for Spain. Eze, Raya and Zubimendi unused subs.
Sunday, September 27
Gibraltar 0-0 Andorra - Scanlon plays 78 minutes for Gibraltar
Serbia 1-2 Netherlands - Timber features for 10 minutes as a substitute
Germany 0-1 Greece - Tzolis starts, plays 81 minutes. Havertz not in squad.
Norway 1-2 Portugal - Odegaard plays full 90 minutes
Monday, September 28
Turkey 1-4 Italy - Calafiori was an unused substitute
Northern Ireland 0-0 Hungary - O'Neill was an unused substitute
Sweden 3-1 Poland - Gyokeres scored the third goal in the win
Tuesday, September 29
Australia 2-4 Brazil - Bruno scores, Gabriel plays full 90 minutes
Czechia 0-2 England - Lewis-Skelly and Saka start, Eze plays 45 minutes
Spain 4-1 Croatia | Zubimendi starts, Merino provides assist
Thursday, October 1
Malta 1-1 Gibraltar - Scanlon scores fine goal, plays 90 minutes
Greece 2-2 Netherlands - Timber plays 78 minutes, Tzolis subbed at 18 minutes
Wales 2-1 Norway - Odegaard assists, plays full 90 minutes
Friday, October 2
France 1-1 Italy - Calafiori plays the full 90 minutes
Ukraine 0-3 Northern Ireland - O'Neill came on as a substitute on 84 minutes
Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-1 Sweden - Gyokeres played the full 90 minutes, scored in the second half
Saturday, October 3
India 0-4 Brazil - Bruno and Gabriel came at half-time
Croatia 0-7 England - Saka scored twice, Konsa played the full 90. Eze and Lewis-Skelly were second-half subs
Spain 3-1 Czech Republic - Raya started, Zubimendi came off the bench, Merino scored late on as a sub
Sunday, October 4
Greece (Tzolis) v Germany | 7.45pm | Nations League | Thessaloniki
Netherlands (Timber) v Serbia | 7.45pm | Nations League | Eindhoven
Portugal v Norway (Odegaard) | 7.45pm | Nations League | Porto
Monday, October 5
Liechtenstein v Gibraltar (Scanlon) | 7.45pm | Friendly | Vaduz
Italy (Calafiori) v Turkey| 7.45pm | Nations League | Bologna
Northern Ireland (O'Neill) v Georgia | 7.45pm | Nations League | Belfast
Romania v Sweden (Gyokeres) | 7.45pm | Nations League | Bucharest
Tuesday, October 6
England (Konsa, Saka, Eze, Lewis-Skelly) v Czech Republic | 7.45pm | Nations League | Wembley
Croatia v Spain (Zubimendi, Raya, Merino) | 7.45pm | Nations League | Split
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