![Ferran Torres](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383196980_17192680151370_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq_AUXMKOfT1Udvx6tpQJEMrxArGD34oIrfY4Y4Amk29w.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Spain’s reserves prove their Euro 2024 title credentials and send England through to last 16
![Ferran Torres](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383196980_17192680151370_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq_AUXMKOfT1Udvx6tpQJEMrxArGD34oIrfY4Y4Amk29w.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Tournaments are usually won by the stayers, not those who lead from the front. Spain are the unquestionable standout team so far at this European Championship with three wins and zero goals conceded but group-stage bright sparks often flame out in the knockouts. Facing Albania with top spot in their group already secured, we may have seen the second-best team at Euro 2024: Spain reserves.
Luis De La Fuente made 10 changes from the team which beat Italy in their last match, with Al-Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte the only player not given a rest. Jesús Navas, another with Manchester City in his past, became Spain’s oldest player at an international tournament at 38. Albania needed a win and have looked like spirited contenders in their best moments in Germany. Nevertheless they were dispatched with minimal fuss by a side with seemingly nothing to play for.
That is a tribute to the coaching of De La Fuente, whose system is polished enough to sustain a near-total change in personnel without much drop in performance. This tournament has marked a break from the waning power of last decade’s tiki-taka dominance. Instead Spain have utilised width and directness from Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Both were benched and while Spain played a little more keep-ball they still found joy through attacking with speed.
There were bright spots across the pitch. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya navigated long uneventful periods but saved and often held everything which came his way. Navas was wonderful, his defensive team-mates rarely looked flustered and Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game then said all the right things after it.
![Ferran Torres opens the scoring](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383203302_17192683195160_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqXMk6VxHZk1LKHsbv-KFkKHwSCF1R0VweJ7DS2UnVMSQ.jpeg?imwidth=350)
“We are a family, we are a team,” he said. “Everyone is ready to play in the first 11. The performance of every player has to make the coach think he is ready to play. That is key, anyone can decide a game for you. I will try to make things difficult for our coach.”
These are the fabled “good problems” for managers and how Gareth Southgate must wish he was agonising over which of his top-performing fringe players might displace one of his all-conquering starting XI. It still goes down as a good night for Southgate, as Albania’s failure to win clinches England’s place in the last 16, even if they lose to Slovenia on Tuesday.
It is wrong to put it through only an English prism. Portugal needed a last-minute goal to win their first group game, France looked below their best against the Netherlands, Germany had a scare against Switzerland on Sunday night. Spain are standing out not only for their excellence but the dearth of it elsewhere.
“We would like everyone to play,” said De La Fuente. “We managed to allow the players who hadn’t had any minutes to play, apart from [third-choice goalkeeper] Alex Remiro.
![Jesus Navas](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383196577_17192684866140_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqZgEkZX3M936N5BQK4Va8RbeHsZFrEmHQDi0eQN40zhg.jpeg?imwidth=350)
“We are all free to dream but we have to keep our feet on the ground. I think dreaming is a great engine to generate other positive aspects.”
Their biggest challenge against Albania was silencing a rampant crowd. They whistled every Spanish spell of possession to begin with, as well as a PA announcement reminding fans that flares are forbidden, as the smoke from several lit just after kick-off drifted across the pitch in a low cloud. Beneath it, vulnerabilities on the left flank.
Navas terrorised full-back Mario Mitaj and Spain’s goal came from similar territory, Dani Olmo performing the incision, Torres rubbing in salt with a perfect finish off the bottom of a post. There was something of the well-honed training ground drill about the goal, but the Albania defence were unpicked too easily.
Nedim Bajrami looked their most useful outlet but he was expertly tracked by Navas. Every time Bajrami tried to get his team going his passing lanes were closed as easily as a laptop. The introduction of Chelsea’s Armando Broja gave renewed hope, if doing little to disturb Spain’s casual dominance of the ball.
Albania began their tournament with the fastest ever goal in the European Championship. They leave it hoarse from shouting but could not find a moment to match their start in the first group game against Italy. Broja did force Raya into an agile save but no one in his team could find a way through an ominously stable second-choice Spain defence. If this is the B-team they will take some stopping.
Albania 0 Spain 1: as it happened . . .
In the other match
Italy equalised in the last minute against Croatia so they finish second. You can follow the reaction to that last-gasp thriller here.
FULL-TIME: Albania 0 Spain 1
It’s all over in Dusseldorf and it’s all over for Albania in this tournament. The underdogs were much better in the second 45, but lacked quality in the final third.
For Spain, it’s three wins in three and no goals conceded. They will now be most people’s favourites and it’s not hard to see why based on tonight when they coasted with their second XI.
90 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
Yet another free-kick for Albania. This time it’s on the right in the final third and this time they create something. There’s confusion in the Spain box and Broja takes a touch before shooting with the outside of his right boot forcing Raya into a decent save.
Four minutes of injury time to play.
89 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
Another free-kick for Albania, this one is on the halfway but still a chance to get the ball into the mixer and pose some questions of the Spain defence. They go down the left before Asllani crosses, it’s overhit and the opportunity to get a shot or head on target once again geos begging.
63 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
The stadium is rocking now and that’s because Asllani has had a go from distance and won a corner. Albania have to go for it now, it’s do-or-die time...From the resulting set piece the same player overhits it and the chance to put Raya under more pressure has, for now, gone.
62 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
Spain are still coasting here, but at 1-0 there’s still a chance for Albania to get something. And as I type that the ball is played into the Spain box, from a quickly taken free-kick, and Broja shoots on the volley forcing Raya into a good save. The Premier League player had more time than he appreciated there.
![Armando Broja reacts to a missed chance](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383206716_17192611318260_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqA7N2CxnJWnYI3tCbVBgu9T0aesusvN1TE7a0ddd_esI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![The chance Albania were looking for as Raya saves well from Broja](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383213917_17192642826110_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqXm5Gjs0VccvfhnTcA1twMeil7a1KV2STY3xRqqFt_No.jpeg?imwidth=350)
54 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
Croatia have just gone 1-0 up against Italy, Modric scored the opener barely 30 seconds after seeing his penalty saved. You can follow that match here.
As it stands...
Spain top the group on nine points, Italy are second on four, Croatia third on two and Albania last on one.
That’s because in the other Group B match Italy are drawing 0-0 against Croatia, you can follow that match, if it tickles your fancy, with my friend and yours, Alan Tyers here.
HALF-TIME: Albania 0 Spain 1
That was an enjoyable watch. However, if you’re one of Spain’s rivals it was hugely ominous. It says a lot about their chances of going all the way that they can make 10 changes and play in the same way and at the same level as in the impressive first two matches.
Olmo and Jesus Navas have both looked very impressive.
41 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
Two great crosses from Grimaldo in a matter of minutes. The first is headed just over by Torres, before the second goes deep, is played inside to Olmo whose first-time backheel nearly tees up a team-mate. Spain are playing some lovely stuff at the moment. Another goal is coming...
35 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
No work for Raya so far this evening. Spain are still dominating, keeping their width, and as I type, Jesus Navas wins the ball on the right before picking out Olmo who takes a touch fires in a shot but is thwarted by a brilliant block by, I think, Djimsiti.
I cannot see this staying 1-0 for much longer...
28 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
Bajrami is on the attack on the left for Albania, but Laporte gets back and snuff out any vague possibility of a meaningful chance. Albania could do with a bit possession at the moment, if only to build a bit of confidence and give their backline a bit of a much-needed breather.
Has the goal come too early?!
Ostensibly quite disastrous for Albania but, and I realise we are deep in straw-clutching land here, I wonder if that goal has come a touch early for Spain.
There is little to motivate them in this game and while the Albanian support has been quietened they’re still primed for meganoise should the situation improve. Momentum could get them a long way if they can fashion some chances. Another Spain goal would be extremely bad news though.
18 mins: Albania 0 Spain 1
It’s all Spain now. In fairness, it was all them in the five minutes before the goal, which, to some extent, ‘had been coming’.
They’re playing their favourite game at the moment, keep-ball. They’ve got it and Albania are finding it hard to impose themselves on the team in lemon/pastel yellow.
GOAL!
Albania 0 Spain 1
Torres with a lovely first-time finish puts the favourites ahead. The only thing better than the clinical finish into the bottom left of the net was the beautiful through ball from Olmo. It split wide open the Albania defence and presented Torres with a good chance that he didn’t pass up.
11 mins: Albania 0 Spain 0
Jesus Navas whips in another deep, curling cross from the right and Merino’s header is on target and saved by Strakosha.
Then 30 seconds or so later another cross is delivered into the box, this time from the left, and Joselu’s header is just over.
Albania need to get to grips with this balls into the box.
4 mins: Albania 0 Spain 0
Decent enough start from Albania who are pushing forward at every opportunity, they’re playing with confidence and knocking it around well. They have a corner, Asllani takes it from the left, but it doesn’t beat the first man and the chance to put Raya in the Spain goal under some early pressure goes begging.
A relaxed approach from the Spanish
I’m not saying that Spain aren’t taking tonight seriously but two fellas have just sat down next to me in the press tribunes with a beer each and are currently FaceTiming their mate and showing him the crowd. Wonder if they’re going to do a watchalong for the full 90 minutes?
Bisbal or Fergie?
The whistles and boos are at anti-social levels from the Albanian fans as the Spain line-up is read out. Perhaps because they feel disrespected by a second string? In fact, definitely NOT that. They’re just doing their bit, as they will probably need to tonight. Hopefully that won’t cross over into the sort of unpleasant nationalistic chanting which got their striker Mirlind Daku suspended for joining in with a megaphone after their draw with Croatia.
Spain’s “special greeting” from a person of national interest comes from the singer David Bisbal on the big screen tonight. Sir Alex Ferguson did Scotland’s last night. I know who I’d back to gee me up more for a football match. Sorry Fergie, but David has some bañgers.
Spain’s weakened XI means there’s a good chance we won’t see this pair tonight
A shame, as the young guns Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been brilliant in this tournament so far.
![Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383190047_17192537091810_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqRo0U4xU-30oDveS4pXV-Vv4Xpit_DMGvdp2n7FDd82k.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Albania winning in the noise stakes
Evening from Dusseldorf which is a sea of red this evening. Albania certainly winning the singing so far, and it’s no contest either in the category of driving your car around while trailing a flag and beeping your horn. But Spain supporters making their presence felt a little closer to the ground. Some “Es-pa-ña!” chants beginning to cut through the largely Albanian noise.
Just the 10 changes for Spain, with only Laporte keeping his place from their win against Italy. They can afford to focus on the knockout round, they are already through as group winners. A shame that we likely will not be seeing Lamine Yamal or Nico Williams this evening, who have been so enjoyable to watch so far. No space either for Neco Williams, because he is Welsh and while resting players is tolerated, bringing in ringers from unqualified countries is frowned upon.
Albania need a win to go through. They have looked gritty and hardworking so far, will that be enough against Spain’s second XI?
Spain name weakened XI
No huge shock there, considering they’re already guaranteed top spot in the group. Simon, Cucurella, Carvajal, Morata and Williams are just a few of 10 who started in win over Italy who begin tonight’s match on the bench. Rodri also misses out, but for a different reason – the Man City man is suspended having picked up two yellow cards in the opening two matches.
![Nico Williams](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000382697561_17192524756050_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqA7N2CxnJWnYI3tCbVBgu9T0aesusvN1TE7a0ddd_esI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
How they both line up
ALBANIA XI TO FACE SPAIN: Strakosha, Balliu, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Asani, Laci, Bajrami, Manaj. Subs: Etrit Berisha, Hysaj, Gjasula, Broja, Kastrati, Mihaj, Seferi, Medon Berisha, Muci, Ismajli, Abrashi, Kumbulla, Aliji, Hoxha.
SPAIN XI TO FACE ALBANIA: Raya, Jesus Navas, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo, Zubimendi, Merino, Torres, Olmo, Oyarzabal, Joselu. Subs: Carvajal, Le Normand, Morata, Fabian, Remiro, Baena, Williams, Yamal, Gonzalez, Simon, Cucurella, Lopez, Perez.
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
Fans out to enjoy themselves ahead of kick-off
![Spain fans](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383183189_17192515385350_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqBxQQ6WuIQQgwO_lxG6Qi9rQBMGlqc4ZbUgb735iCRYE.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![A Spain fan adds some musical accompaniment to proceedings](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383180996_17192515693870_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqMdYdPu_9-tJRUiuuV6k4MrsmCVzl3c4ldTKpsR5-XlY.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![Albania fans with a drum](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/24/TELEMMGLPICT000383174299_17192515950720_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Group B permutations
Spain
Thanks to their 1-0 win over Italy, Spain are already through as group winners. They will play one of the four best third-placed teams in Cologne on Sunday at 8pm.
Italy
The defending champions can book their place in the last-16 if they avoid defeat against Croatia. However, if they lose to Modric and Co then they could have a nervous wait. They will be out if they lose and Albania beat Spain
Albania
Realistically, Albania must beat Spain to have any chance of going through and they will be out with a draw or defeat. They could go through as runners-up if they beat Spain and Italy lose to Croatia, providing Albania’s goal difference remains better than Croatia’s.
Croatia
Croatia can also finish as group runners-up if they beat Italy and Albania do not win against Spain. Croatia will be out if they draw and Albania do not lose.
A must-win for Albania
This is a match between two teams with different emotions: one heads into the clash relaxed, knowing they have already guaranteed finishing top of the group. The other heads into it on edge, knowing they have to win to have any realistic chance of making the knockout stages. There are no prizes for guessing which is which.
Spain have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, mixing youth with experience to beat Croatia and then, on Thursday, to batter Italy into submission. In that match they had a staggering 58 attacks, and if there is one slight worry, then it would be that they only won that match 1-0. But after two matches there is little doubt Spain are one of the favourites for the title.
Albania have looked impressive in parts in Germany. They led Italy after just 23 seconds, before ultimately falling to two well-taken goals. They then earned their first point with an injury-time equaliser against Croatia. They will need that belief and never-say-die attitude if they are to have a hope of making it past the group stage.
But based on what we’ve seen so far it would be a shock of huge proportions if Albania were to even lay a glove on the Spaniards. The favourites have been impressive in Germany and as our very own James Ducker wrote of their 1-0 win over Italy, they’re a team to be feared.
”Ignore the scoreline, secured courtesy of an own goal from Riccardo Calafiori that Nico Williams, who else, had helped to force; it did scant justice to the scale of Spain’s dominance or the majesty of a display that had a bit of everything bar the bundle of goals their superiority and sublime football deserved. This was statement football, tiki-taka on speed.”
Stay here to see whether Albania can create the first real shock of the tournament, all the pre-match build up and action, with kick-off set for 8pm.