Spain’s fans, including King Felipe, are brimming with confidence that their team can clinch the Euro 2024 title following a dominant victory over defending champions Italy.
The belief that Spain could win the championship has grown significantly, as highlighted by Inako Díaz-Guerra, sports editor for El Mundo newspaper.
“Two weeks ago, I thought it was impossible for Spain to win this European Championship. Now I even think it is probable,”
he remarked.
Spain’s journey in Euro 2024 has been impressive. After a convincing 3-0 win against Croatia in their opening match, La Roja narrowly defeated Italy 1-0 in their second group game on Thursday.
The sole goal came from an own goal by Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Despite the close scoreline, Spain’s dominance was evident throughout the match.
Young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal repeatedly breached Italy’s defence, leaving the Azzurri struggling to keep up.
Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain displayed a style of play that was both fluid and threatening.
Their performance could have resulted in a higher score if not for the outstanding saves by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the crossbar, which denied Williams a spectacular goal.
Díaz-Guerra noted,
“Despite the narrow result and the own goal, the dominance was constant, and not that boring kind of dominance of holding the ball during the infamous tiki-taka period, but one of flow and real danger.”
This new dynamic has reinvigorated Spain’s football, moving away from the overly cautious possession play that marked their previous successes.
King Felipe, present at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena Auf Schalke for the game, expressed his admiration to the players in the changing room after the final whistle.
“If you keep playing like that, there will be celebrations,”
he said, receiving applause and cheers.
Spain’s victory against Italy secured their top spot in Group B, irrespective of the result of their final group match against Albania on Monday.
This achievement sets them up to face a third-placed team from another group in the last 16, with fans already anticipating a quarter-final clash against hosts Germany.
Spanish media are speculating that coach de la Fuente might rest several key players for the match against Albania to keep them fresh for the knockout stages.
“Spain is pure art,” declared a headline in the sports daily As.
However, Spain’s fans are also cautioned to stay grounded. Memories of the 2022 World Cup linger, where Spain, under coach Luis Enrique, started with a sensational 7-0 win over Costa Rica only to be knocked out by Morocco in the first knockout round.
The blend of optimism and caution creates a palpable sense of anticipation among Spain’s supporters, who hope La Roja can sustain their stellar form and triumph at Euro 2024.
