Nations League winners Spain eye the Euros this time with the final squad announced. The three-time winners want a fourth title in their name to be the outright kings of the competition. La Roja reached the semifinals of Euro 2020 only to be defeated by eventual winners Italy on penalties whereas they only made it to the last-16 in the 2022 World Cup. That sparked the end of Luis Enrique to be replaced by Luis de la Fuente who had numerous successes with the youth sides. The manager brought instant success to the side with the Nations League title and qualification to an 11th Euros.
However, Fuente became embroiled in controversy when he refused to resign from his managerial role after openly supporting the banned Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales's decision not to step down following his scandal in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. The Spanish internationals also came into question for not providing enough support to the victim Jenni Hermoso with some like Dani Carvajal speaking in favour of Rubiales. While the matter has cooled, the Spanish side will face the heat in a group containing Croatia and holders Italy with Albania wishing to be giant killers.
History
Along with Germany, Spain has won the European Championship the most times with three. However, they are the only side to have won the Euros consecutively. Their first title came in 1964 in only the second edition of the competition was known as the European Nations Cup back then. La Roja defeated a strong Soviet Union team containing legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin 2-1in the final. 1960 Ballon d’Or winner and one of the finest players in Spanish football history, Luis Suarez Miramontes was a part of the group. The next success came 44 years later when Fernando Torres struck past the hour mark against Germany to lift the trophy and start a twelve-year dominance in which they won the 2010 World Cup and defended this trophy in 2012. Spain defeated Italy with a record 4-0 scoreline in that final. They won all the tournaments unbeaten.
Qualification to Euro 2024
Spain finished top of their qualifying group and earned direct entry to the finals. Luis de la Fuente’s team lost just one of the eight games, against Scotland who finished four points below them in second. The team scored 25 goals with the majority coming from Joselu and Alvaro Morata with four strikes each. Spain had a rough patch of form post-qualifiers with a loss against Colombia and a thrilling 3-3 draw with Brazil but wins against Andorra and North Macedonia brought them the required momentum ahead of the tournament.
Spain squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Le Normand (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Daniel Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Álex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Álex Baena (Villarreal), Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Fermín López (Barcelona), Ayoze Pérez (Real Betis)
Forwards: Álvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
Captain: Álvaro Morata
Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Barcelona’s 17-year-old defender, Pau Cubarsi, has been surprisingly left out of the main squad although clubmate Fermín López has been included. Fellow midfielders Marcos Llorente and Aleix Garcia have not been included either. Despite injury troubles, last Euro’s star Pedri has made the ranks. Ayoze Perez, aged 30, is also considered after making his international debut in the pre-tournament friendly against Andorra.
Formation: How will Spain Lineup at Euro 2024?
Spain Fixtures for Euro 2024
Saturday, 15 June 2024
Spain vs Croatia - Olympiastadion, Berlin (21:30)
Friday, 21 June 2024
Spain vs Italy - Veltins - Arena, Gelsenkirchen (00:30)
Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Albania vs Spain - Düsseldorf Arena, Düsseldorf (00:30)
