Luis de la Fuente announced a 23-player Spain squad for the 2022/23 Nations League finals in the Netherlands.
Spain will face European championship holders Italy in the Nations League semi-finals which is a repeat of this meeting at this stage in 2021. La Roja took more than just revenge of their last four exit in the hands of the Azzuris at the Euros by ending their 37-match unbeaten streak with a 2-1 victory. Ferran Torres scored twice from two crosses by Mikel Oyarzabal, both not in the squad this time, in the first half to make the evening for La Roja.
Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci also got dismissed in the first period itself with a second booking in the 42nd minute while Lorenzo Pellegrini’s goal at the end was no more than a consolation.
Managed by Luis Enrique in the previous edition, Spain reached the finals where France defeated them 2-1 after Mikel Oyarzabal’s 64th-minute opener was canceled straightaway by Karim Benzema before Kylian Mbappe netted a controversial late winner.
Performance in the Group Stage
Teams | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
Spain | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
Portugal | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
Switzerland | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 9 |
Czechia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 4 |
In an extremely tight Group 2 of League A, Spain pipped Portugal by a point at the top and sealed a last-four place in the Nations League finals in the process. In the last group stage game, La Roja beat the Selecao 1-0 in the Iberian derby to claim the place. Alvaro Morata smashed in an 88th-minute winner in the direct battle played last September to send his teammates and the bench into a frenzy. Switzerland also made a late surge but finished two points behind on the third.
Spain started their era under Luis de la Fuente on a winning note with a 3-0 victory over Norway in the Euro 2024 Qualifiers played in March. Dani Olmo scored a 13th-minute opener but the victory was not sealed until Joselu scored two quick goals late in the match on his debut. However, they stumbled in the very next match against Scotland by losing 2-0 in a disappointing way.
Spain Nations League Squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) and David Raya (Brentford).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona) and Juan Bernat (Paris Saint-Germain).
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Gavi (FC Barcelona) and Sergio Canales (Real Betis).
Forwards: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Espanyol), Rodrigo (Leeds United), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Ansu Fati (FC Barcelona) and Yéremy Pino (Villarreal).
Head Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao and David Garcia of Osasuna withdraw from the final squad due to injuries. The duo was replaced by Ansu Fati and Nacho Fernandez respectively. Robin Le Normand receives his first call-up to the national squad after securing Spanish citizenship. Recent Europa League winner with Sevilla, Jesus Navas is the oldest player included at the age of 37 years. Juan Bernat is named in the squad after three and a half years. Jordi Alba, Sergio Canales and Marco Asensio all return to the team having not made the final squad in March for Euro 2024 Qualifiers.
