Three matches down and five big takeaways from the Spain group stage performance at Euro 2024 which has propelled them into contention. Three wins on the bounce, no goals conceded, domination in games, it is all going well for Luis de la Fuente’s men as they look ahead to the knockout stages.
Top 5 Takeaways From Spain Group Stage Performance in Euro 2024
Strength in Depth
In an expected move, there was heavy rotation for the team that faced Albania in the last group match. With the team already guaranteed a spot in the next round, they were able to rest key players like Pedri, Rodri, Alvaro Morata, Lamine Yamal, and others.
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Despite it being a second-string eleven they managed to get a win with Ferran Torres firing them to victory. This display only served to remind everyone that this is a nation filled with talent as names like David Raya, Dani Olmo, Torres, Martin Zubimendi, or Alex Grimaldo are capable of filling in when needed.
Defensively Solid
While their pre-tournament friendlies were goal-filled affairs, the Spanish team have settled in as one of the tournament’s strongest defensive teams. Unai Simon and Raya are both very good goalkeepers while Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Dani Caravajal, and Marc Cucurella are all high-level players producing the goods for their country.
Even with a rotated backline, they were able to keep Albania at bay. While their goalscoring touch hasn’t been ever present in this competition, a strong defence could propel them deep into the tournament.
Yamal and Williams Are The Future
Despite their youth, La Liga starlets Nico Williams and Yamal have been exciting and effective presences on the wing. With veteran striker Morata holding things down in the middle, the two young attackers have been able to dazzle on their respective wings.
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With these two being so young, it is easy to see a world where they lead their nation to glory, especially as a new wave of strikers comes through that they can pair up with. Seeing these two play off of and feeding the ball to Samu Ororodion or Marc Guiu should fill Spanish fans with excitement.
Stop Doubting Marc Cucurella
Chelsea fans will no doubt be pleased to see the performance of their once under-fire left-back. Mauricio Pochettino used the Spaniard as an inverted player towards the end of the domestic season and seemed to unleash the best traits of the former Brighton player.
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That good form from the end of the term with the Blues has carried over to the international stage. The full-back has once again been inverting to help keep possession in midfield, something he’s adept at. This also utilised his speed as he can dash out wide to defend with pace and close down any opportunities for the opposition.
Spain Are Favourites
Before the tournament began, there were questions about this young squad. Would Yamal and Williams hold up to scrutiny? Could Morata really fire his country to glory? The answers seem to be yes, the Spanish national team has played some of the best football at the tournament so far.
With England and France underperforming a gap is opening up for a new favourite to emerge and it could just be De la Fuente’s charges who take up the mantle.
