Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group B - Albania v Spain - Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - June 24, 2024 Spain players line up during the national anthems before the match REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group B - Albania v Spain - Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - June 24, 2024 Spain's Fermin Lopez in action with Albania's Arber Hoxha REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo DUESSELDORF, Germany - Albania coach Sylvinho suggested that Spain’s second team could win the Euros, and though they will probably face stiffer challenges on the training field this week, the stand-ins duly showcased the squad’s depth on Monday. Their 1-0 win over Albania that made it three out of three with five goals scored and none conceded and sent them into the knockout stage on a high was a combination of controlled play, almost in second gear, followed by some resolute defending in some testing late exchanges. With Spain already in top spot, coach Luis De la Fuente took full advantage by making 10 changes, and the new boys slotted effortlessly into the spotlight – at least for the first hour of a match that left Albania bottom and eliminated.
Their pastel lemon kit might have looked unfamiliar but the stylish playing with purpose was just what Luis De la Fuente has been developing with his "first team" as Spain continue to remodel themselves from the country that eventually passed themselves to death on the crumbling altar of Tiki Taka. Their 13th-minute goal was a geomet.
