Ferran Torres' 20th international goal led Spain to a 100% group record at a major tournament for the first time in 16 years as they beat Albania 1-0 in Dusseldorf, with the Red and Blacks exiting UEFA Euro 2024 in the process.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente rang the changes for this match as his side had already progressed to the knockout phase as Group B winners, with only Aymeric Laporte remaining in the starting XI from the 1-0 win over Italy that secured qualification for the last 16.
Given their precarious situation in the group, Albania started with lots of purpose here, as they did when scoring in the first 15 minutes against both Italy and Croatia at this tournament.
However, their opponents registered the first effort of target in the game as Mikel Merino's downward header was shovelled away by Thomas Strakosha, and after Joselu saw a header of his own go narrowly wide, La Roja got their noses in front on 13 minutes.
Laporte's incisive pass through the middle of the pitch found Dani Olmo, who timed his through-ball for Torres to perfection, allowing the Barcelona attacker to superbly slot in off Strakosha's right-hand post.
From that point on, Spain were largely in control, with David Raya only really stretched before the break when he had to spring to his left to keep out Kristjan Asllani's strike.
Just after HT, it could have been easily 2-0 when Alex Grimaldo's venomous cross was met spectacularly by Joselu, but the ball flew mercifully wide from Strakosha's perspective.
Just shy of the hour mark, Albania boss Sylvinho finally made his first substitution of the night as Armando Broja replaced Rey Manaj, and the Chelsea man should soon have equalised, with Raya stretching to paw away his close-range shot.
The fanatical Albania fans, encouraged by that opportunity, upped the noise levels at Merkur Spiel-Arena, but their team failed to sufficiently build on that moment as Arbër Hoxha blazed over late on when in an inviting position before a late Broja effort was held by the flying Raya.
That victory means that Spain's H2H record is now nine wins from nine as they wait to discover the identity of their last-16 opponents. By contrast, Albania head home, but they can be proud of their efforts after some spirited performances in a tough group during what was only their second-ever major tournament.
Stay Updated on EURO 2024 News with 7M: www.7msport.com/2024/
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Don't give up on the Premier League Dungeon Bro, Darwin Arsenal transfer market These are the same fans who say Auckland City didn't deserve to be in the Club World Cup.Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup: 4/4 through to the round of 16Argentinian teams at the Club World Cup: 0/2 through to the round of 16 lol This is what referees have to watch for 90 minutes....
Barcelona attacking midfielder Pablo Torre is closing in on a transfer to Mallorca after agreeing terms with the LaLiga club, a source has confirmed to ESPN.Mallorca and Torre's entourage held a meeting on Thursday, in which an agreement was reached with the player, who is attracted by Mallorca's project, a source said.The news was first reported by Marca.In the coming days, Mallorca will contact ...
Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, sources have told ESPN.Mosquera, 20, has made 73 LaLiga appearances in the last two seasons and sources said Arsenal are well positioned to beat off competition to the defender, who is a Spain youth international but also eligible for Colombia.RB Leipzig are also interested and Valencia have tried to renew Mosquera's contract, b...
Gyokeres makes transfer U-turn amid Man Utd and Arsenal interestViktor Gyokeres has made a transfer U-turn as he aims to force a move to Manchester United or Arsenal this summer.It had originally been assumed that Gyokeres would favour a move to Arsenal of the two English clubs, with Champions League football on offer at the Emirates. However the Gunners' continued pursuit of Benjamin Sesko from R...
Real Betis interest grows in Barrenechea’s: We have to decide if Unai wants to keep him...Aston Villa midfielder Barrenechea is attracting attention this summer as manager Unai Emery makes a decision regarding his future.Barrenechea continues to attract attention after impressing on loan at Valencia since August, namely from Real Betis. Midfield maestro, Johnny Cardoso, who seems destined fo...
Milos Kerkez opens up on Liverpool move: I think it should be every kid's dreamLiverpool signing Milos Kerkez has opened up on his move to the club this summer and why he chose the Reds over every other side.Liverpool completed the signing of Kerkez from the Cherries in a deal worth 340M as manager Arne Slot build a team fit to challenge for the Premier League title once again. The Hungary interna...
Trafford has "fully agreed personal terms with Newcastle" ahead of summer moveNewcastle United are closing in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford who has agreed personal terms with the club.Burnley reportedly value Trafford at around 340million, which would make the 22-year-old the fifth most expensive goalkeeper of all time as the Magpies chase down their first signing of the summer transfer window...
Vivianne Miedema scored her 98th and 99th international goalsFinland Women lost their five-match unbeaten run on the eve of the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship thanks to a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in a warm-up friendly before the tournament.The homes side's opening goal in Leeuwarden was a gift from the Finnish defence - in the 11th minute, Oona Siren gave the ball away cheaply inside...
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is challenged by Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian NorgaardIn order not to get left behind in the transfer market this summer, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board appear to be making various moves which could have a significant and positive impact for them in 2025/26.To date, since the Spaniard took over in the Emirates Stadium dugout, the Gunners have always bee...
Al Ain's Laba Kodjo Fodoh (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goalAl Ain ended their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Wydad at Audi Field in Washington in just the third-ever meeting between a team from Morocco and one from the Middle East.Both teams knew their fate prior to kick-off - even a win would not be enough to see them progres...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 7 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 8 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 9 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 10 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal