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Despite making 10 changes, Spain completed a perfect Group B campaign to end plucky Albania’s tournament in Dusseldorf.
Ferran Torres curled home an early opener but despite Spain creating a glut of chances, and Albania piling forward in the second half, neither side were able to add to the scoring,
🇪🇸🥶#EURO2024 | #ALBESP pic.twitter.com/yqEDHogfIR
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 24, 2024
Spain will face one of the third-placed finishers in Group A, D, E or F in their Round of 16 match, on Sunday night (8pm BST).
Albania finished bottom of the group with a single point after Croatia were pegged back by Italy to draw 1-1 late in the other encounter.
Spain progress without having conceded a goal and having given every outfield player in the squad, and two keepers, tournament game time.
De La Fuente shuffles his pack
Having already ensured top spot in the group with two wins from two, Spain boss Luis De La Fuente made 10 changes from the side which overcame Italy in their second game, with only Aymeric Laporte retaining his place and Arsenal keeper David Raya handed a rare start in place of Unai Simon.
Just as they did against Italy and Croatia, Albania made a positive start but it was Mikel Merino who had the first effort at the other end as he saw a far-post header saved by Thomas Strakosha while Joselu headed over while in space on 11 minutes.
The deadlock was broken soon after when Laporte spread the ball forward to Dani Olmo who split the defence with a perfect pass for the onrushing Ferran Torres to stroke an angled effort in off the inside of the post on 13 minutes.
Olmo dragged a 20-yard drive wide and after the half-hour was denied by a last-ditch challenge after good approach play and cut-back by Jesus Navas.
Raya had a stroke of good fortune on his return to the side as he smashed an attempted clearance kick into the back of teammate Laporte, though the ball looped high enough for Raya to gather.
Ferran Torres stooped to plant a…
Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/euro-2024-spain-1-0-albania-perfect-spain-send-albanians-out/
Author : Alex Hoad
Publish date : 2024-06-24 20:54:20
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