Spanish press unconvinced by Raya after rare Spain start

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David Raya was handed his first competitive start for Spain since 2024 on Saturday night, and the Spanish media were left distinctly underwhelmed by what they saw.

Spain beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in their Nations League Group A3 fixture, but the scoreline flattered a performance that unravelled in the final 20 minutes. Jiri Slama pulled a goal back in the 69th minute before Raya spilled a routine free-kick 15 minutes later, with the Czechs bundling the ball into the net only for the referee to have already blown for a foul on Robin Le Normand.

Mikel Merino settled matters with a third goal just before the 90-minute mark, sparing the Arsenal goalkeeper a nervy finish.

How the Spanish media rated Raya

The verdicts were not kind. As reported by football.london, SPORT placed Raya among the 'fine' performers of the evening, noting he "didn't have much to do" but still "made a mistake" for the disallowed equaliser.

AS were sharper, writing that the 31-year-old had been "rewarded" by Luis de la Fuente for his patience but gave the team "some scares." The outlet accepted he could do little about Slama's opener, but said he "left the ball on a plate" for the second that "luckily didn't count."

Marca labelled the moment a "blunder," while Mundo Deportivo framed it within a wider collapse in composure, claiming the whole side got "a little nervous" after the Czech goal. Estadio Deportivo went further still, saying Spain "continued to underperform" after Slama's strike and that Raya's "fumble" was only forgiven because of the foul on Le Normand.

Cope, meanwhile, described the Spain XI as their "weakest version" since lifting the World Cup, with a number of fringe players handed rare starts.

Merino and Zubimendi fare better

The other two Arsenal representatives came away with far more credit. Martin Zubimendi was viewed as a dependable deputy for Rodri, with AS crediting him for ensuring Slama's goal remained "just a scare."

Merino took the plaudits. Deployed in a more defensive role by De la Fuente, the midfielder still found his way onto the scoresheet to kill the contest. AS wrote that when Merino sees his opportunity, he "always takes it," while Marca said the Gunners man is "always there" for his country.

It is a familiar pattern for Merino, who has built a reputation for arriving in the right areas at the right moments for both club and country.

For Raya, the context matters. Unai Simon has long been De la Fuente's first choice, and starts like this one are precisely the auditions that shift a pecking order. On this evidence, the Spanish press do not believe the order has shifted.

Arsenal's Spanish trio have one more fixture before returning to club duty, travelling to face a Croatia side still reeling from a 7-0 defeat to Thomas Tuchel's England on Saturday night.