Spain eradicated Albania from Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory that made it three wins from three in Group B.
Having already certified as group winners, Luis de la Fuente made 10 modifications to his beginning line-up however the fluency remained as they took the lead early on by way of Barcelona ahead Ferran Torres.
Spain, captained by 38-year-old Jesus Navas, had possibilities to increase their lead by way of the spectacular Dani Olmo and veteran striker Joselu however the second objective by no means did come. They didn’t want it.
A consequence of this result’s that England, with 4 factors from two video games, at the moment are assured to succeed in the knockout phases no matter what occurs of their recreation in opposition to Slovenia on Tuesday night.
Albania did have alternatives of their very own, Arsenal’s David Raya saving effectively from Kristjan Asllani and substitute Armando Broja. However Sylvinho’s facet have been at their restrict attempting to deal with Spain’s superior high quality and their spirited event is over.
The one earlier workforce to win each group recreation with out conceding a objective at a European Championship are Italy three years in the past and so they went on to elevate the trophy. With such power in depth, a repeat of that feat can’t be dominated out.
Evaluation: Spain’s depth to be key?
Whereas Gareth Southgate appears to be like set to stay with an analogous line-up for England’s third and last group recreation at Euro 2024, nonetheless looking for that Positive efficiency to take some critical perception into the knockout phases, his Spain counterpart was in a position to rotate.
Having already secured high spot in Group B thanks to 2 wins from two, his purring stars needed to sit out the win in opposition to Albania from the beginning. That feels unlikely to disturb their rhythm with video games coming so rapidly, but it surely allowed others to shine.
Torres scored the objective however there was heaps to get pleasure from about Olmo’s efficiency, whereas the full-backs Navas and Alex Grimaldo have been attacking menace. Mikel Merino confirmed his high quality in midfield. Raya made a number of huge saves. All can have gained confidence.
All can in all probability count on to be again on the bench when Spain return to motion within the spherical of 16 however they may achieve this having had a style of this event, able to impression the sport in the course of the second half of that one if required. It would simply make a distinction.
Participant of the match: Ferran Torres
Spain’s Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring the one objective in opposition to Albania
Premier League audiences hardly knew Torres, leaving as he did so early into his second season as a Manchester Metropolis participant, however his document for Spain is outstanding. The winner right here was his twentieth objective for the nationwide workforce in solely 44 senior appearances.
It was a good looking end too, curled into the far nook together with his left foot after latching onto a pleasant go into the house by Olmo. Torres is a participant who makes that run from out to in so effectively and it continues to convey him success in entrance of objective.
The competitors in these large areas is obvious given how Lamine Yamal has wowed everybody together with his shows in Germany. However Torres provided a reminder of his reliability and can count on extra minutes earlier than Spain’s Euro 2024 journey is over.