Spain v Czech Republic result: Spain beat the Czechs to go top of their Nations League group

On his first Spain start in two years, Asensio is putting in the work. The Real Madrid winger hustles into his own box to win back possession with a robust challenge.

That was optimistic to say the least but his shot was closer to a throw-in than a goal and calmly collected by Unai Simon.

Another turnover deep in their own half by Spain almost hands the Czechs an opener.

Jan Kuchta played in Adam Hlozek but Hlozek couldn't slip his shot through the defence.

Risky moment.

The Leipzig playmaker lets a Spain throw bounce and then lifts it over Tomas Soucek's head but the big West Ham midfielder concedes a foul in stopping him from collecting the ball.

This Czech team are so well drilled. They drop deep together and flood the midfield, but know exactly when to push up together and force turnovers as they've just done to Dani Olmo.

Morata looks to get on the end of a cross and can't quite get his shot away, but he wins a corner which is ultimately dealt with.

The Czech goalkeeper wan't sure whether to come or stay for that one and eventually decides to claim the cross, but he barely gets a touch and the rebound falls kindly. Lucky escape.

The visitors are defending much higher up the pitch than they did last weekend. Will they persist in that tactic or is it just for the beginning? It remains to be seen.

Unai Simon fearlessly draws pressure, before playing it out to Koke. The Atleti midfielder spins and sprays it wide. Nice start.

The Czechs gets us underway. Here we go!

The famously wordless Spanish anthem booms out around La Rosaleda, the teams take their position and we're just moments away.

We are approaching kick-off at La Rosaleda. It looks like a full house in Malaga, plenty of Spanish flags as you might expect.

After impressing off the bench against both Switzerland and the Czech Republic (where he made the cross for Inigo Martinez's late equaliser), he gets his chance to start tonight.

Luis Enrique has rotated heavily during this Nations League window. With Gavi and Pablo Sarabia on the bench tonight, only goalkeeper Unai Simon has started all three matches.

He had some ropey moments against the Swiss in mid-week, and was caught off his line Jan Kuchta's brilliant chip last Sunday.

Will we have more heart-in-mouth moments from Simon tonight?

Five new faces in for the Czech Republic this evening, including goalkeeper Ales Mandous who is making just his second international appearance this evening, and his first since 2020.

Lucho has not had it all his own way in the Nations League, but then that is sort of the idea of the promotion/relegation system, isn't it?

Malaga has largely escaped the heatwave which has struck Southern Europe this weekend, it will be around 25°at kick-off.

Mid-week results shifted things in favour of Spain in this group, with La Roja now one point ahead and sitting with a slightly better goal differential (+1 against -1).

Victory for the Spanish this evening could take them top of the group, but that depends on the outcome of the Portugal-Switzerland match.

Equally, either nations could be officially safe from relegation if the Swiss go down.

Lokomotiv Moscow winger Jan Kuchta was the star against Spain last Sunday, scoring one goal and setting up another.

He wasn't able to get on the scoresheet in midweek against Portgual though, as the Czechs slipped to a 2-0 defeat.

This has been a happy fixture for La Roja in the past, however it should not be forgotten how close they came to defeat in the Sinobo Stadium last Sunday.

Only Inigo Martinez's stoppage-time header - which only just crossed the goalline - saved them from a deserved loss.

Nine changes from Luis Enrique tonight as Eric Garcia is among the players returning to the lineup after being rested against Switzerland.

Notably, Alvaro Morata keeps his place after a hard-working display in Geneva.