Spain secured a spot in UEFA Euro 2024 knockout stages by defeating Albania with a score of 1-0, with a changed team, maintaining their perfect record of three wins out of three matches in Group B.
After securing their spot as the top team in the group, Luis de la Fuente made significant alterations to his initial team selection. However, the fluidity of the game was still evident as they quickly gained the advantage with an early goal from Ferran Torres, who plays for Barcelona.
Led by 38-year-old Jesus Navas, Spain had opportunities to increase their advantage with the remarkable Dani Olmo and experienced forward Joselu, but they were unable to score a second goal. However, it turned out that they did not require another goal.
As a result of this outcome, England, having earned four points from two matches, is now assured to advance to the next round, regardless of the outcome of their match against Slovenia on Tuesday evening.
Albania did have chances to score, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya making a good save from Kristjan Asllani and substitute Armando Broja. However, Sylvinho’s team was pushed to their limits in dealing with Spain’s higher level of skill and their impressive run in the tournament has come to an end.
Italy was the sole team in the past to secure victories in all group matches without letting in any goals at a European Championship three years ago, and they eventually became the champions. Given their impressive depth, it is not impossible for them to achieve the same success once again.
Is the depth of Spain’s team going to be a crucial factor in their performance?
Despite Gareth Southgate’s inclination towards maintaining a similar team composition for England’s last group match in Euro 2024, in order to secure a convincing victory and instil confidence for the upcoming elimination rounds, his Spanish counterpart opted for rotation.
With two victories in a row, their top spot in Group B was already guaranteed. As a result, their key players were given a rest during the match against Albania. This is not expected to disrupt their momentum, as they have a series of matches coming up. However, it did provide an opportunity for other players to showcase their skills.
The goal was scored by Torres, however, there were many impressive aspects of Olmo’s performance. Additionally, the attacking prowess of full-backs Navas and Alex Grimaldo stood out. In midfield, Mikel Merino displayed his skill. Furthermore, Raya showcased his ability by making numerous crucial saves. As a result, all players would have gained a boost in confidence.
It is highly likely that all players will have the opportunity to return to the substitute bench when Spain resumes their matches in the round of 16. They will have already experienced this tournament, which will prepare them to make an impact during the latter half of the game if needed. This could potentially have a significant impact on the outcome.
Man of the match: Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres of Spain celebrates scoring the first goal in a Group B game against Albania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany on Monday, June 24, 2024. The goal was captured by photographer Frank Augstein from the Associated Press. The image shows Torres celebrating his goal, which was the only one scored by Spain against Albania.
The viewers of the Premier League were not very familiar with Torres as he left Manchester City during his second season. However, his performance for the Spanish national team is extraordinary. He scored his 20th goal for the team in just 44 games, making him the winner of this match.
The goal was a sight to behold, as the ball was gracefully curved into the far corner by Torres’s left foot, after receiving a delightful through pass from Olmo. Torres has a knack for making that run from the outside to the inside, which has proven to be a successful strategy for him in scoring goals.
The clear competition in those expansive regions can be seen through the impressive performances of Lamine Yamal in Germany. However, Torres provided a reminder of his dependability and will anticipate receiving more playing time as Spain’s Euro 2024 journey progresses.
