Euro 2024: Following group leadership, Spain's coach downplays the favorites label

Mumbai: Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish coach, made ten changes to his starting lineup. After defeating Croatia and Italy, La Roja was guaranteed a berth in the round of 16 of the 2024 European Championship. They could afford that luxury on Monday night when they faced Albania. They won 1-0 to cap up a flawless run and took first place in Group B with a maximum of nine points.

At the Dusseldorf Arena, Spain maintained control despite fielding a subpar team because striker Ferran Torres gave them an early lead.

Spain achieved a first by winning the Euro group stage without giving away a goal. It was the second time they have won all three of their group games following their 2008 championship run. They have actually only lost one of their previous fifteen games in this tournament's preliminary round. Their domination has been seen in their last 11 competitive games, where they have 10 wins and 1 draw.

After benching Dani Carvajal, Rodri, and Alvaro Morata, de la Fuente must have felt a little uneasy. The squad in red controlled possession during the first five minutes of the game, but on Monday night it was Albania. After a tie with Croatia, Sylvinho's team had just one point—they had lost to Italy—and they needed to seize the lead. However, it did not take long for Spain to seize the initiative and apply pressure.

Dani Olmo was on the end of a long ball in the thirteenth minute, and he then played a well timed pass behind Albania's defense. Approaching from the right, Torres executed a flawless run-up and concluded the play with an incredible first-time effort that curved into the far corner. It was a sudden, clinical play that served as a warning about how destructive Spain can be if they adopt a more assertive strategy.