Spain’s 2022 World Cup was a rather embarrassing affair. They won just one of their four games, beating Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening match before drawing 1-1 with Germany and losing 2-1 to Japan.
But being eliminated by Morocco in the Last 16 is what was probably the worst penalty shootouts we’ve ever seen in international football, with the European side missing all of their spot kicks.
Heads rolled and the squad has quite a different look now. They breezed qualification and hopes are high they can go far.
They’ve talent all over the pitch, although you’d have to admit they look a bit goal-shy up top which means Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata will be called on to do most of the heavy lifting. Is he up to it?
If not, former Stoke and Newcastle ‘legend’ Joselu will be coming off the bench and just ask Bayern Munich what he’s capable of late in games.
MANAGER: Luis de la Fuente
CAPTAIN: Alvaro Morata has recently taken the armband. He just needs five goals to take Fernando Torres’ place as third-highest goalscorer for the national squad.
STAR PLAYER: Rodri. The Manchester City midfield machine pulls the strings in the middle of the park and hasn’t lost a match in over a year for both club and country.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: Spain enjoyed a rather comfortable qualification campaign, winning seven of their eight games, and scoring the third most goals in qualification with 25. They lost to Scotland at Hampden but that was their only slip-up and they ended up topping the group regardless.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Two teams will qualify and four of the six best third-placed teams will advance to the Last 16 too so you can expect Spain, Croatia, and Italy to really pile on when they face Albania. Defensively they look top notch and despite scoring so many goals in qualification you’d have to question if they’ve got it when it comes to notching against the best. Semi-finals would be an achievement, a quarter-final exit looks more likely.
BEST BET: Alvaro Morata to be Spain’s Top Goalscorer.
SPAIN EURO 2024 FIXTURES & SCHEDULE
Group B
Saturday, June 15: Spain v Croatia, 5pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)
Thursday, June 20: Spain v Italy, 8pm (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen)
Monday, June 24: Albania v Spain, 8pm (Dusselford Arena, Dusseldorf)
SPAIN’S EURO 2024 SQUAD
- GOALKEEPERS: Alex Remiro, David Raya, Unai Simon.
- DEFENDERS:Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Alex Grimaldo, Dani Carvajal , Dani Vivian, Jesus Navas, Nacho, Cucarella.
- MIDFIELDERS: Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baena, Martin Zubimendi, Rodrigo, Pedri, Fermin.
- FORWARDS: Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo, Joselu, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ayoze Perez, Ferran Torres, Williams Jr.
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