Ferran Torres’ early strike secured Spain’s second-string aspect a 1-0 victory over Albania on Monday, wrapping up the Euro 2024 group stage with a flawless file whereas eliminating their opponents.
In the thirteenth minute, Barcelona winger Torres capped off an excellent play in Düsseldorf, silencing a stadium dominated by vocal Albanian supporters.
Despite the win, Spain’s closely rotated squad, that includes 10 adjustments from their 1-0 overcome Italy simply 4 days prior, confronted a difficult match.
Spain had already secured the highest spot in Group B, however Albania knew they realistically wanted a win to advance, making for a frantic encounter, notably as they pushed ahead within the second half.
Despite their finest efforts, Albania goes house after choosing up just one level and ending backside of a troublesome part.
It is a regression for them from their debut European Championship look in 2016 when in addition they went out within the first spherical however did handle to win a recreation.
“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.”
Beating a Spain aspect that has in all probability been essentially the most spectacular thus far in Germany was all the time going to be a giant ask for them.
It is the primary time since 2008 that Spain has gained all three group video games at both a World Cup or European Championship.
“We are forging our own path,” mentioned Torres, scorer of 20 targets in 44 appearances for his nation, when requested to check this Spain crew to the aspect that gained 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.”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente can now flip his full consideration to a last-16 tie in Cologne on Sunday in opposition to an as-yet-unknown third-place finisher.
Center-half Aymeric Laporte was the one Spain participant to maintain his place following the Italy recreation, with key midfielder Rodri suspended and everybody else given a breather.
Goalkeeper David Raya, defender Dani Vivian, left-back Alejandro Grimaldo and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, all largely untested on the worldwide stage, got here in.
There was additionally a begin for Jesus Navas, who was a part of the Spain groups that gained the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and who’s now 38.
Even Laporte was eliminated at halftime, changed by Robin Le Normand, whereas Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata additionally appeared within the second half.
Albania, ranked 66th on the earth, knew it could be an enormous problem to beat Spain having misplaced all of their eight earlier conferences.
Torres’ strike
Spain first threatened within the twelfth minute when Mikel Merino’s header was saved by goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, and a minute later they have been forward.
Dani Olmo stepped into the area between the Albanian traces to obtain a move, then fed a measured ball in behind for Torres to latch onto.
The former Manchester City participant timed his run completely and completed with precision too, his first-time effort getting into off the far publish.
Torres has made a behavior of scoring at these tournaments, having netted twice on the final Euros and twice on the 2022 World Cup.
It took Albania till the ultimate minute of the half to check Raya, the Arsenal shot-stopper flying to his proper to parry a robust strike by Kristjan Asllani.
Joselu hooked a Grimaldo cross simply huge moments after the restart for Spain earlier than the Albanian followers raised the noise ranges in an try to spur their crew on.
They have been very near equalizing when substitute Armando Broja met an Asllani free kick and tried to lob Raya, however the goalkeeper saved.
Asllani then fizzed an effort simply huge, and Broja was once more denied by Raya in stoppage time as Albania bowed out with their heads held excessive.
Source: www.dailysabah.com