Yamal on target as Spain hold off Czech Republic

However Mikel Merino wrapped up Spain's win late on after Ladislav Krejci was sent off for the Czechs as Spain racked up a 41st consecutive unbeaten game, including the World Cup final win over Argentina in July.

"They are well drilled, I thought it would be one of the hardest games and that's how it was," Rodri Spain claimed a third win from three group games. "It was tricky but we got some chances.

There are some matches in which you can't generate that much, but the team was able to manage the match. "The former Manchester City midfielder scored for the first time for Spain in over two years.

"It's always special to score for the national team, I'd not been scoring many goals, let's see if I've found that dynamic -- it's important, we all have to chip in with the goals," he added.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made several changes in Oviedo from Tuesday's win over Croatia, including handing debuts to full-back Ivan Fresneda and striker Roberto Fernandez. It was one of Spain's star names, though, who lit up the game early on, something he is beginning to make a habit of.

Yamal, who scored in the second minute of Spain's first two games against England and Croatia, waited as long as the sixth before breaking the deadlock. Red hot form.

The 19-year-old winger, a major candidate for the Ballon d'Or, produced an exquisite finish from the right of the box, curled into the top corner after taking a touch to earn himself room to shoot. "We're doing well, I'm very happy.

I was eager to return to the national team after the World Cup, and there's no better way than this," said Yamal. Spain coach De la Fuente put his hands to his head in apparent shock at the quality of Yamal's superb strike, his 12th in his last nine games for club and country.

"I think he never stops surprising us -- I think all of us. He has so much talent, so much quality, that we still haven't seen the best version of Lamine by a long shot," said De la Fuente.

"He has a lot more to offer because he's so classy, so talented, with so much potential. "The winger's Barcelona team-mate Rodri doubled Spain's lead after 35 minutes, arriving in the box to drill into the top corner after the ball fell nicely for him.

De la Fuente took off Yamal at half-time to give the young Barcelona star a break before Tuesday's visit to face Croatia, and the pace of the game slowed. The Czechs pulled one back through Slama, who produced an excellent low finish across David Raya after Adam Hlozek played him in.

Arsenal stopper Raya was fortunate a few minutes later when he conceded possession with a misplaced pass while out of his goal, but the visitors could not capitalise. Raya also spilled the ball badly and Ryan Naderi turned home but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Robin Le Normand.

Czech Republic's determined efforts to battle back were derailed by Krejci's red card, with the defender shown a second yellow for pulling back Fernandez, before Merino rounded off Spain's win.