The 19-year-old also set up Marc Pubill's goal as Spain ran their unbeaten run to 40 matches in their first home game since winning the World Cup.
Lamine Yamal needed barely a minute to put Spain in front on Tuesday, then added a second goal and an assist as the world champions beat Croatia 4-1 in Seville in their first home match since lifting the World Cup in July.
The 19-year-old Barcelona forward opened the scoring inside 70 seconds at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán with a left-footed finish. Ivan Perisic crossed for Dion Beljo to head Croatia level in the 28th minute, but Spain were back ahead three minutes later when Marc Pubill nodded in Yamal's cross. Yamal struck again just after the hour, beating his club team-mate Dominik Livakovic at the near post, and Nico Williams added a late fourth.
The result ran Spain's unbeaten run to 40 matches and left them top of Group A3 on six points, three clear of England and Croatia. Rodri, who started on the bench, had shown off the World Cup trophy to the home crowd before kick-off.
Yamal's night fed straight into the Ballon d'Or conversation. He is in the running for the award alongside Kylian Mbappe and England captain Harry Kane, though voting had closed the previous day and the winner will be announced on 26 October. Rodri, whose own standing rose with Spain's World Cup triumph, came on late in midfield.
Croatia, who beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Prague on Saturday, were bright early through Beljo but faded after the break. Luka Modric's late introduction drew warm applause from the Sánchez-Pizjuán crowd.
Spain face the Czech Republic next on Saturday, while Croatia host England the same day.
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