The Spanish team ended the year 2022 with Morocco’s elimination from the World Cup, which fell short of expectations.
The Spanish team ended its 2022 in the worst possible way. Being eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, leaving a bad image behind, without being able to shoot on target. The defeat led to the dismissal of Luis Enrique as national coach, the side’s flagship. Thus ended an era that has had light and shadow in the year that has now ended.
Goal.com discusses how the Spanish football team’s year has been.
In total, Spain have played a total of thirteen games throughout the year 2022. Three friendlies, six of the UEFA Nations League, the only source of joy, and four of the World Cup in Qatar.
friendly
The matches started in March with two friendlies in which Luis Enrique’s team faced each other Albanian and Iceland. The national team won those games 2-1 and 5-0 respectively. The Albanian party was that of the return of the national team to Catalonia. He played at the RCDE Stadium to great response from the crowd.
The third friendly match Spain has played in this 2022 was against Jordanjust before the start of the World Cup. It was November 17 and the national team won 1-3.
UEFA Nations League
In June came the UEFA Nations League matches for the Spanish team, drawn in Group 2 of League A. There, Spain faced Portugal, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and again the Czech Republic.
Spain did not start well, with two draws against Portugal and the Czech Republic. Against the Portuguese, Spain drew 1-1 at Benito Villamarín through a goal from Morataand against the Czechs it was a draw to two in Prague. Íñigo Martínez saved a point in the 90th minute.
Spain changed its path in the Nations League Beating Switzerland 0-1 on matchday three with a Sarabia goal and finished the first cycle of matches to become leader of Group 2 after beating the Czech Republic in Malaga in a good game with goals from Soler and Sarabia.
The competition would not return until September, and it did so with a disappointment for Spain, who were in their hands to qualify for the Final Four. Lost in Zaragoza 1-2 against Switzerland. The critical time of the year.
But three days later it was Spain’s turn to answer and record their best win of the year. The pass to the Final Four was played in Prague against Portugal and they won thanks to a goal from Morata in the 88th minute of the game that took Spain to the final.
Qatar World Cup 2022
Next, after the friendly against Jordan, was the World Cup in Qatar. Spain started big with their biggest win in World Cup history, Costa Rica down 7-0 on the first dayshot with expectations.
The second day was against Germany and after a good game Spain watched the Germans tie the gamebut his pass to the round of 16 was not in danger.
The third day was a slide of thrills. In the preview it was discussed whether it was useful to finish first or second, to avoid Brazil in the quarterfinals. Spain came second after being beaten by Japan, who bounced back from Morata’s goal. Doubts flooded the Selection.
After finishing second, the crossing earned him a match against Morocco. A selection on paper inferior to Spain, but which marked the end of an era. It was the worst moment for Spain in this 2022 after falling in the penalty shootout against the Africans.
Thereafter, the Federation fired Luis Enrique to sign Spain Under-21 coach until then, Luis de la Fuente.
It was a year with more shadows than lights in the Spanish national team.
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Source: Goal