Thiago nearly gets his name on the scoresheet with a rocket of a shot from just inside the box that Kalinic leaps to stop. It falls to Rodrigo who attempts a scissor-kick follow-up, only to smash it into Ceballos, deflecting it out for a goal-kick. Three added minutes on the way.
88'
Only a handful of minutes remain; can Spain add one more to gloss off a wonderful game for them or can Croatia hold them off?
86'
It's almost seven and a second for Isco as he races onto a Azpilicueta cut-back from the right and sticks it straight at Kalinic. The keeper bobbles but Mitrovic is there to clear up before a follow-up shot can be attempted.
82'
Ramos is alright to continue and is awarded the free-kick inside his own penalty area.
80'
Perisic and Ramos come together with a clash of heads as the pair collide above the ball and the Spain captain needs a moment to sort his nose out.
78'
Kovacic looks to give his team some consolation, bursting through centre-field with the ball at his feet against the run of play; only to bundle over Gaya in the process and concede the foul.
75'
César Azpilicueta enters the game and replaces Dani Carvajal.
Carvajal - such a vital part of this awesome showing today - is the last man to leave for Spain now too, with Cesar Azpilicueta on in his place.
73'
Is this a watershed moment for Croatia? They made it to a World Cup final this year and are ranked fourth by FIFA: but apart from their extra-time win against England, they needed a penalty shoot-out to get them to through every knock-out game in Russia. Did their second-place finish conflate expectation upon them? Or have Spain just truly been in a class of their own in Elche?
71'
M. Livaja enters the game and replaces I. Santini.
Croatia make their final swap; Santini is off and Marko Livaja is on in his place.
Minute
Description
70'
Isco has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Marco Asensio.
ISCO MAKES IT 6-0! Again, Asensio cuts them wide on the right and again he is allowed to turn in a square ball with casual ease to his fellow forward. The Real Madrid man needs to step back inside twice to escape a pair of markers - but then he turns on a dime and duly blasts a shot across Kalinic into the top-left corner. What a game this has been for Spain.
Asensio has had a hand in every goal but the first in this game; one would imagine that naming the man of the match will be a relatively easy feat for the assembled press.
69'
The visitors now do try going down the left flank, and Perisic looks to have slipped the net of Carvajal, to meet a Pivaric pass, only for him to be flagged for offside.
67'
Spain's relentless forward push has taken a backseat now; wth five goals on the board, they're no longer in a hurry. Croatia are being allowed more time on the ball, but they still seem rather bereft of any ideas.
65'
Thiago Alcântara enters the game and replaces Saúl.
Saul has played his part too with the goal that started it all off - and he exits now, with Thiago Alcantara on for the final third of this game.
62'
M. Pjaca enters the game and replaces M. Brozović.
The visitors also make a second change of the game now; Marko Pjaca is on to replace Brozovic.
61'
Spain win back-to-back corners and this time - chastened by their earlier failings - Croatia repel the consecutive attempts with some dignity.
59'
Rodri enters the game and replaces Sergio Busquets.
Busquets has played his part in this rout - and he will take his leave now, as Rodri arrives in his place.
57'
Sergio Ramos has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Marco Asensio.
Asensio's corner was a lovely assist but nothing too out of the ordinary - yet Croatia couldn't seem to get themselves in any semblance of a defensive line to repel that effort. This is an embarrassing - even mortifying - game for the World Cup finalists.
SERGIO RAMOS! 5-0 TO SPAIN! The captain gets himself on the scoresheet, having gone close at Wembley, with a simple header left unchecked by a soggy Croatian defence at the corner. Asensio weights it perfectly and the hosts have even more reason to cheer.
55'
Asensio plays it short and works it around before floating in the cross seeking Rodrigo; the attempted half-volley crashes off Vida who looks to clear, only to concede another corner himself a moment later.
54'
Spain win themselves a corner, out on the right wing, after Pivaric diverts a square ball clipped in from wide on the left seeking Rodrigo.
52'
Rodrigo almost makes it two goals in three minutes for himself as he races into an open box to find a pass from Gaya, only to be flagged for offside by a clear margin.
50'
If you are Croatia, how do you respond from this? The game looks to be beyond them now, even with 40 minutes on the clock. Is this a time to try something radical?
49'
Rodrigo has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Marco Asensio.
Asensio has been the driving force behind this remarkable scoreline and his one-touch pass to play on his fellow forward there was textbook perfection. There's going to be a few sore heads in Elche after this performance.
RODRIGO MAKES IT FOUR THIS TIME THOUGH! It's the second goal in as many games too for the Valencia striker as, supplied by a neat throughball from Asensio, he bursts past the last defender and tucks an effort from the right into the bottom-left corner, despite Kalinic's attempts to halt it. 4-0 to Spain.
48'
Rodrigo goes close to converting a nervy back-pass from Mitrovic into Spain's fourth goal of the night but Kalinic gets it clear in the nick of time.
46'
We're back underway at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. Will Croatia mount the mother of all comebacks? Or will Spain consolidate their sizeable lead in this second half?
45' +2
HALF-TIME: SPAIN 3-0 CROATIA
45'
Two added minutes on the way.
44'
Perisic does now snaffle a free-kick out on the left wing following a foul from Asensio and he duly thumps it into the box - only for De Gea to sweep out, composed, and pick it out with opposition.
42'
Whatever Zlatko Dalic has planned for his team talk at the break, he better make it in the inspirational ballpark of Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Since going a goal down, this has been a poor showing on the whole from Croatia.
40'
...which he does, only to duly lift it well over the defensive wall and crossbar. Croatia breathe a sigh of relief to not concede a third goal inside seven minutes.
39'
M. Brozović gets yellow.
It gets worse for Croatia too as they concede a free-kick 22 yards out on the right following a shove by Brozovic on Ceballos. Asensio looks set to take this one...
37'
Those two goals have spun this game on its head. Spain's first was arguably against the run of play but they have been steadily in the ascendancy since and that pair of goals created by Asensio have left their hopes of a Nations League victory here clinging by the proverbial thread.
35'
L. Kalinić is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
3-0 TO SPAIN! Luis Enrique's men are in dreamland as Asensio, released on the right by a wonderful cross-field pass, lofts a cheeky shot in from 20 yards or so out that ricochets off the crossbar, and onto the back of Lovre Kalinic who can only watch as the ball falls back behind him into his own net. Croatia have just been hit by a brutal one-two combo.
33'
Marco Asensio has scored a goal for Spain!
MARCO ASENSIO, WHAT A STRIKE! 2-0 TO THE HOSTS! A 25-yard screamer from bang in front doubles Spain's lead as the Real Madrid man pounces upon a poor, lazy pass to nowhere from the Croatian defence, whereupon he rockets it into the top-right corner. Magical stuff; the World Cup finalists look shell-shocked.
32'
Isco slips down the left flank and nips back into the box with a cut-back pass for Saul and Rodrigo. The delivery is poor however and in the time the pair have to track back and find it, they are set upon by a swarm of Croatia defenders who sweep away possession.
30'
Spanish fans are aggrieved as Gaya goes down under pressure from Kovacic following a break that takes the left-back deep into Croatia territory, near their penalty area; the referee however awards a goal-kick, seeing the challenge as legal instead.
28'
Modric and Isco come together in the Croatia half as they challenge for the ball and it is the former who comes away with the free-kick from the minor clash.
26'
Given that they have looked the more dangerous of the two sides around the box so far, that will be a frustrating goal to concede for Zlatko Dalic. The architect of their fast wing breaks Vrsaljko can no longer help them now too; they will need to find another way to place the pressure on the hosts at the back.
24'
Saúl has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Dani Carvajal.
SAUL FOR SPAIN! 1-0 TO THE HOSTS! It's two goals in two Nations League games as the Atletico Madrid man tucks a header in from the centre of the box to hand his side the lead against the World Cup finalists, meeting a Carvajal cross tipped in from the right wing. Lovely stuff from Luis Enrique's men.
Again, the long, lofted ball to the unmarked Carvajal on the right flank proved to be the undoing of Croatia, with the right-back making a darting run down the wing to meet a booming cross from captain Ramos. A deft touch, a neat cut-back cross inside - and Spain have their noses in front.
20'
M. Rog enters the game and replaces Š. Vrsaljko.
Indeed he is; Vrsaljko is helped from the field to applause and Marko Rog - who missed out on a place in the squad for Russia - takes up his right-back mantle.
19'
Vrsaljko doesn't look to be in a great way however and is hobbling somewhat. Play comes to a pause and it looks like the Croatia right-back may be set for an early bath.
17'
Croatia catch Spain out again with a wonderful long ball floated deep down the right for Vrsaljko who clips inside for Perisic. The attacking midfielder can't turn his close-range shot into the goal however, mostly thanks to a brilliant piece of defending from Carvajal to intercept the ball and block the shot, guiding it to De Gea.
16'
Isco spurns arguably his side's best chance yet as he can't quite get on the end of a wonderful Gaya pass floated in from 30 yards out on the left wing to the centre of the box. The hosts are comfortably more settled now though than they were in the early exchanges.
14'
The next minute however, Santini goes close to earning redemption for his yellow card as he meets a cut-back from Vrsaljko near the right post of De Gea's box and just edges it wide. Narrow defence from the Spanish back-line there saw them get caught out by the marauding right-back.
12'
I. Santini gets yellow.
Santini pushes off Nacho as the two track a long ball heading their way. The latter goes to ground and claims contact with the head; the referee duly books the Croatia striker, despite his protests.
11'
Croatia are cut open again through Carvajal on the right flank, this time through a Nacho long-ball; albeit one that has too much speed behind it for the right-back to successfully track down, with a goal-kick the end result instead for Kalinic.
9'
Spain play it short before bringing it around from the left the long way round, with Ceballos ultimately trying an unsuccessful one-two in the box that sees him concede a free-kick after he bundles over Pivaric.
8'
Now it's Croatia's turn to come under fire however as Busquets steers a long ball down over the heads of their defence to Carvajal on the right edge of the box. He plays it inside, looking for Rodrigo; Mitrovic lands the first touch and steers it perilously close to his own net before it drifts out for a corner.
6'
It's an absolute horror-show in defence for Spain as Perisic again breaks following a loose ball. De Gea pushes it to Busquets - who for some reason clears it back into his own box. Nacho can only put it as far as Rakitic, who just steers a low, curled shot wide of the right post from inside the D of the penalty area.
4'
Carvajal now switches off as Croatia peel forward again down the left wing and a throughball catches him out, allowing Perisic to dart into De Gea's box. He sees his 10-yard effort blocked by Nacho though, and then Kovacic concedes a free-kick as he fouls the defender in pursuit.
3'
Saul however makes a promising break and lays a ball out wide to Isco on his left wing; the forward's first touch, alas, is too weighty to control the pass and he pushes it out beyond him for a goal-kick.
2'
It's the visitors who move through the gears fastest in the opening exchanges; Perisic and Rakitic make a nuisance of themselves to force Carvajal and Saul back in their own half, keeping the ball pinned in the Spanish back-line.
1'
We are underway in this UEFA Nations League A division clash between Spain and Croatia in Group D!
Both sides have a month off now as the international break concludes but when they return, Spain will have the luxury of a friendly encounter against Wales in Cardiff, secure in the knowledge that their lead at the top of Group 4 in the A division of the Nations League is unassailable. Croatia meanwhile face off against England - with both sides knowing that a win will be essential if they hope to avoid the drop to the B division. Until then however, thank you for joining us - and have a good week!
Six goals and a mercurial showing for the ages from Marco Asensio; it's been a game to remember for Spain and one to forget for Croatia. The hosts have demolished the World Cup finalists with an outstanding attacking performance to keep their perfect Nations League start, putting themselves in pole position to reach the tournament finals. Elation for Luis Enrique; embarrassment for Zlatko Dalic; at full-time, it finishes Spain 6-0 Croatia.
With one change already made due to injury, do Croatia roll the dice and make their remaining swaps early on? They're going to need an injection of ideas somewhere on the pitch; though Modric, Rakitic and Perisic all threatened at points, the trio of goals they have conceded has left them shrinking somewhat under the lights. As for Spain, they may opt to consolidate their lead with some defensive swaps - but given the comfortable position they find themselves in, could they push on for more?
After a shaky start, Spain have come alive in their second Nations League game - and boy, have they entertained. A header for Saul - his second goal in as many games - plus a wonderful Marco Asensio strike and chip respectively has put them in full control of this tie in Elche against the World Cup finalists. It's going to take something special for Zlatko Dalic to dig his side out of the hole they find themselves in here. At half-time, it's Spain 3-0 Croatia.
The teams are out and we are moments away from kick-off.
This is the seventh encounter between Spain and Croatia and their third competitive meeting in a row, following games at the 2012 and 2016 European Championships. The former triumphed 1-0 in the first of these meetings, on their way to victory in Poland and Ukraine; four years later, Croatia inflicted sweet revenge with a 2-1 win in Bordeaux.
Subs: Marko Rog, Marko Pjaca, Mario Pasalic, Milan Badelj, Dominik Livakovic, Borna Barisic, Filip Bradaric, Antonio Milic, Marko Livaja, Duje Cop, Tin Jedvaj, Karlo Letica.
CROATIA (4-5-1): Lovre Kalinic; Josip Pivaric, Domagoj Vida, Matej Mitrovic, Sime Vrsaljko; Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic; Ivan Santini.
SPAIN (4-3-3): David De Gea; Sergio Ramos, Daniel Carvajal, Jose Gaya, Nacho; Saul Niguez, Sergio Busquets, Dani Ceballos; Marco Asensio, Rodrigo, Isco.
Team news now...
In their first games of the new season though, both have seen differing results again too; Spain came from behind to trump England - the side Croatia knocked out in the semi-finals of the World Cup - 2-1 at Wembley thanks to goals from Saul and Rodrigo. Croatia meanwhile were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in a friendly with Portugal, Ivan Perisic seeing his opener cancelled out by Pepe.
It has been a year of contrasting fortunes for the two sides on show in Alicante, at the home of Elche; pre-World Cup favourites Spain were sent into meltdown on the eve of the tournament in Russia with the dismissal of coach Julen Lopetegui following the announcement he would leave for Real Madrid after the competition. Croatia meanwhile defied the odds to reach their first-ever World Cup final; even a 4-2 drubbing at the hands of eventual champions France couldn't dampen arguably their finest season in international history.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the UEFA Nations League as 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia travel to Spain for their first game of the competition in Group 4 of the A division. Luis Enrique's side have already begun their campaign with a 2-1 victory against England over the weekend - so can Zlatko Dalic mastermind a winning start at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero?
Commentary
More…