Euro Result: Albania 0-1 Spain
Euro Result: Albania 0-1 Spain
Ferran Torres’ goal put an end to Albania’s chances of qualifying, as Group B champions Spain won the tournament for the third time at EURO 2024 despite a changed starting lineup.
With the exception of Aymeric Laporte, Spain’s coach De la Fuente made twelve changes to the team that defeated Croatia 1-0 to win Group B. His experimental lineup had to withstand intense early pressure from an extremely driven Albanian team. Their relentless pressing made them a threat in the first few minutes, and Sylvinho’s squad needed to win to have the greatest chance of securing a spot in the round of 16.
But even with the new lineup, this was still a highly talented Spanish team. And their brilliance immediately showed; in the 13th minute, La Roja took the lead when Thomas Strakosha was called upon to save a header from Mikel Merino. Ferran Torres was set up by Dani Olmo with a lovely through pass, and the Barcelona striker finished with a neat shot that sailed beyond the far post.
Capable of settling into a possession-based game or shooting wide and straight, De la Fuente’s charges persisted in their investigation, with Merino missing a cross and Olmo being stopped from firing by a great Berat Djimsiti tackle. Nevertheless, Kristjan Asllani’s long-range shot before halftime sent David Raya diving left to parry, and it was Albania who had hearts racing.
After the break, Joselu came dangerously close to creating a masterpiece at the same end when he twisted his body to flick an exquisite volley that almost missed Alejandro Grimaldo’s cross. But Albania, spurred on by their boisterous supporters, wasn’t going to give Spain a quiet evening, as Raya had to be on his toes once again to block a volley from replacement Armando Broja.
More hustling, harrying, and praying that the crew in red and black would show up. Even though Spain was no longer as dangerous as they once were, they managed to maintain enough possession of the ball to win, even though Broja gave Raya one more test in the closing moments. It was a bold and optimistic tone to end Albania’s campaign on. Spain has higher aspirations.
Important Statistics
- For the second time ever, Spain has won all three games in a EURO group; the first time they accomplished this was in 2008, the year they won the trophy.
- Spain has never ever completed a group stage at a European Championship without giving up a goal.
- In their previous 11 competitive games, Spain has won 10 and drew one.
- In their past 15 EURO group stage games, La Roja has only lost once (W11 D3).
- With two goals at EURO 2020, two at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and one at EURO 2024, Ferran Torres has now scored five goals for Spain in significant competitions.
- In his seven appearances in the EURO final competition, Dani Olmo has tallied four assists, second only to Cesc Fàbregas’ five assists for Spain since 1968.
- Out of their six EURO matches, Albania has only won one (D1 L4).
- Albania has played six EURO matches and has only preserved one clean sheet.
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