UEFA Nations League Matchday 2 preview: Players to watch, storylines to follow

Spain meet Croatia in a rematch of the 2023 final and England travel to Czechia as UEFA Nations League Matchday 2 concludes on Thursday 29 September.

We pore over the previous meetings, key storylines and players to watch.

What to look out for in League A

Spain vs Croatia

Player spotlight

Dani Olmo spent several seasons with GNK Dinamo and made his debut for Spain while still playing for the Croatian club. Fabián Ruiz and Rodri were the midfield pairing, playing behind Olmo, when Spain edged out Croatia in the 2023 Nations League final.

Luka Modrić won a record six UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and is still pulling the strings for Croatia at the age of 41 as he returns to Spain, while Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić will come up against former Manchester City stalwarts Aymeric Laporte and Rodri.

Memorable match: Croatia 0-0 Spain (aet, Spain win 5-4 on penalties, 2023 Nations League final)
Unai Simon made two shoot-out saves in Rotterdam as Luis de la Fuente won his first senior title as Spain coach.

The backdrop

• Croatia's last visit to Spain in this competition ended in a 6-0 loss in 2018.
• Marco Pašalić is looking forward to the visit of the world champions. "I think we have to be motivated with full focus mentally and physically. A lot of things are possible when you play as a team – you can win every game!" he said after Saturday's victory in Czechia.
• Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has supreme confidence in his side, however, as he stated after their 3-2 win over England: "There are many matches within a match and we've known how to play them all at every moment."

Czechia vs England

Player spotlight

Czechia's foundations could be based on players currently playing their football in England – defender Ladislav Krejčí could return from injury to line up in front of either Lukáš Horníček or Antonín Kinský.

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jordan Pickford were all starters in the England team which overcome Czechia 1-0 in the last meeting between the sides, a group stage match at EURO 2020.

The backdrop

• England's last visit to Prague brought defeat in a EURO 2020 qualifier, the hosts winning 2-1 despite Harry Kane giving the Three Lions an early lead.
• Czechia will have to turn their fortunes round in Prague too, though. Adam Karabec's goal was not enough to stop them sliding to a 2-1 defeat by Croatia on Matchday 1.
• England coach Thomas Tuchel rued missed chances and defensive lapses after his team's 3-2 opening match defeat by Spain. "We have to learn and keep going," he said. "We have to take what's positive and take the points back from Czechia."

What to look out for in League B

Storylines and players to watch

• Zeki Amdouni struck twice in Switzerland's 3-0 win in North Macedonia, taking his tally to four goals in his last four games for club and country.

What to look out for in League C

• Joel Pohjanpalo scored the first hat-trick of the 2026/27 edition to set the early pace in the top scorer race, his treble helping Finland to a commanding 7-0 win in San Marino in Group C1. Belarus beware!
• Luxembourg head Group C4 after a fine win in Bulgaria but face another big challenge with a visit from Iceland.