Raya endures nervy Spain start v Czechia after ten games on the bench

📰 Recalled for his first Spain start in seven months, David Raya had a nervy evening, though Spain still beat Czechia 3-1. 📌 Key points 🧤 Raya started for Spain for the first time since March. 🏟️ Spain beat Czechia 3-1 in Oviedo in the Nations League. 😬 He spilled a routine free-kick late on, but the goal was ruled out. 🗞️ El País and AS were critical of an uneasy display. ⚽ Arsenal teammate Mikel Merino sealed the win in the 89th minute. 📝 What happened ⚽ Spain took control at the Carlos Tartiere on 3 October through a curling Lamine Yamal effort (6') and a Rodri finish (35'). Jiri Slama pulled one back for Czechia on 69 minutes before Merino knocked in a rebound in the 89th to settle it. 😬 According to GiveMeSport, Raya fumbled a straightforward free-kick on the line in the 84th minute. Czechia thought they had equalised, but a foul on Robin Le Normand had already been given. 🗞️ El País said he looked like a debutant, while AS described him as fortunate the error proved costless. It was Raya's first start after sitting on the bench for ten successive internationals. 🧢 At the other end, Tottenham's Antonín Kinsky made his Czechia debut and produced several good stops, including one from a Dani Olmo half-volley. 📊 By the numbers • Spain 3-1 Czechia (Yamal 6', Rodri 35', Merino 89'; Slama 69') • First start after 10 games as an unused substitute • Spain unbeaten in 41 matches in all competitions (ESPN) • Nations League A3: Spain three wins from three, 9 points 🔭 Why it matters Luis de la Fuente has generally preferred Unai Simón, though he has publicly backed Raya's quality. The Arsenal keeper won the Premier League Save of the Month for September after a penalty stop against Sunderland, so his club form is strong. The question is whether one shaky night costs him ground in the race for the No. 1 shirt.