Spain finished Group B with a perfect record following their 1-0 victory over Albania in their final group stage game at the Euro 2024.
In the thirteenth minute in Duesseldorf, Barcelona’s Torres, a winger, completed a brilliant move to pierce the atmosphere in a stadium largely full of boisterous Albanian supporters.
But despite making ten changes from the starting lineup that began their 1-0 triumph over Italy four days prior, this game was far from easy for the Spanish team.
Although Albania knew they would probably need to win in order to advance, Spain had already clinched first place in Group B. This made for an intense match at times, especially as Albania surged forward in the second half.
Albania, despite their best efforts, was eliminated from the competition after earning just a single point and placing last in a challenging phase.
They have not performed as well as they did in their maiden European Championship run in 2016, when they did, however, win a game despite losing in the opening round.
“I am proud of the players. We competed against three great sides,” insisted Albania’s Brazilian coach, Sylvinho.
“The experience for us and for the country was amazing. The players gave everything and will remember this for the rest of their lives.”
It was always going to be a tall order for them to defeat a Spanish team that has very likely been the most outstanding thus far in Germany.
Spain has won all three of its group matches in a World Cup or European Championship for the first time since 2008.
“We are forging our own path,” said Torres, scorer of 20 goals in 44 appearances for his country, when asked to compare this Spain team to the side that won the title in 2008.
“We are working very well together. We are like a big family. Now we are through to the last 16 and we are just going one game at a time, but why shouldn’t we have big dreams.”
Luis de la Fuente, the coach of Spain, can now focus entirely on Sunday’s last-16 matchup in Cologne against an unidentified third-place finisher.
Half of the centre After the match against Italy, Aymeric Laporte was the only player from Spain to remain in the starting lineup; everyone else was given a break, including important midfielder Rodri.
The mostly inexperienced players who entered were midfielder Martin Zubimendi, left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, defender Dani Vivian, and goalkeeper David Raya.
Jesus Navas, a 38-year-old member of the Spanish squads that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, also made a start.
Alvaro Morata and Lamine Yamal both made appearances in the second half, and even Laporte was taken off at halftime and replaced by Robin Le Normand.
Albania, who is ranked 66th in the world, was aware that defeating Spain would be extremely difficult after the two teams’ eight prior matches ended in losses.
Spain had a chance in the 12th minute, but goalie Thomas Strakosha stopped Mikel Merino’s header. A minute later, Spain was ahead.
After receiving a feed from Dani Olmo, who moved into the gap between the Albanian lines, Torres was able to grasp onto a well-timed ball that was fed in behind him.
The former Manchester City player’s initial attempt went in off the far post as he finished with precision and timed his move properly.
Torres, who scored twice at the most recent Euros and twice at the 2022 World Cup, has developed a scoring habit at these competitions.
Albania didn’t put Raya to the test until the very last minute of the half, when the Arsenal custodian swerved to his right to block a strong attempt from Kristjan Asllani.
Shortly after the halftime break, Joselu missed a chance to score from a cross by Grimaldo, and the Albanian supporters tried to get more excited to support their side.
When Asllani’s free kick was met by replacement Armando Broja, who attempted to lob Raya, the custodian made a save, and they came dangerously close to levelling the scores.
Then, with Albania bowing their heads in defeat, Asllani curtly missed a chance, and in stoppage time, Raya again denied Broja.
Photo by EPA/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL
