Mikel Merino came off the bench at half-time to score twice as Spain beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League on Tuesday, sealing their spot in the last eight. Croatia took a deserved 17th-minute lead through Ivan Perisic, who headed home after Unai Simon saved Igor Matanovic's initial shot. Merino equalised in the 61st minute, sweeping home a clinical left-footed finish after Dani Olmo set him up. The Arsenal midfielder then struck the winner late to complete the comeback and secure Spain's first away victory in Croatia at the third attempt. It was the second straight match in which Merino decided the game from the bench, after his 89th-minute goal sealed a 3-1 win over Czechia three days earlier. Luis de la Fuente's side extended their remarkable unbeaten run. Spain's defence has looked less watertight in this campaign, but the world champions keep finding late answers. Croatia, beaten 7-0 by England on Saturday, showed spirit but could not hold their lead.