Spain’s journey to the Euro 2024 final

Spain are on track to clinch a fourth European Championship title.

Their journey through the tournament has been marked by a potent blend of attacking flair and defensive resilience.

Here’s how La Roja reached the Euro 2024 final.

Group B

Luis de la Fuente and his men arrived in Germany high on confidence having obtained several convincing pre-tournament victories from March to June.

Spain got off to a perfect start at Euro 2024 with goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal delivering an impressive 3-0 victory over Croatia.

Next, La Roja secured a victory against Italy, with a Riccardo Calafiori own goal being the decisive moment. The result proved frustrating for Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had made several outstanding saves during the 90 minutes.

Finally, Spain defeated Albania – to make it three wins from three games and top Group B – with Ferran Torres scoring a clinical first-time finish.

Last 16

The formidable Georgia awaited Spain in the round of 16 of this summer’s European Championship and, despite going a goal behind, La Roja dug deep to secure a commanding victory.

Spanish centre-back Robin Le Normand was the player who put Georgia in front, inadvertently diverting the ball into his own net following a fierce cross.

It was 1-1 shortly before half-time as Rodri unleashed a strike from the edge of the box and, after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s courageous effort from near the halfway line, Fabian Ruiz nodded Spain in front six minutes into the second half.

Nico Williams thumped away the third and Dani Olmo neatly tucked home the fourth goal to secure La Roja their fourth win of Euro 2024.

Quarter-finals

Spain locked horns with hosts Germany in the quarter-finals and required extra time to emerge victorious.

Following a goalless first half Stuttgart, Dani Olmo got the ball over the line six minutes into the restart, the midfielder scoring from 18 yards having been found superbly by Lamine Yamal.

The Germans didn’t drop their heads, however, with Niclas Fullkrug subsequently proving to be a handful for Luis de la Fuente’s men.

And, eventually, their pressure paid off as Florian Wirtz’s half volley thumped the inside of the far post to send the contest to extra time.

Wirtz and Mikel Oyarzabal both whistled the woodwork in the first half of the additional 30 minutes before Germany were pleading for a penalty, with referee Anthony Taylor uninterested this time.

This tie looked destined for spot kicks but a teasing cross from Olmo found Mikel Merino unmarked in the box, and his header left Manuel Neuer with his head in his hands.

Semi-finals

Lamine Yamal etched his name into the history books as the youngest ever scorer at a European Championship, propelling Spain into the Euro 2024 final and shattering the dreams of France.

Following Randal Kolo Muani’s header – assisted by Kylian Mbappe – Yamal (16 years and 362 days old) stunned spectators with a venomous strike from outside the box.

His goal came in the 21st minute, and his side were ahead just four minutes later as Dani Olmo’s shot was turned home by French defender Jules Kounde.

Likely fired up from a Didier Deschamps’ team talk, Les Bleus came out with an attitude in the second half. Aurelien Tchouameni first saw his header saved before Mbappe was denied from an wild effort. Mbappe later had a golden chance to level matters but spooned high over the bar, much to the relief of Unai Simon.

While Spain have dazzled as the tournament’s most attacking team, this match showcased their defensive fortitude, proving they have the resilience to complement their flair.

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