Spain closed the knockout stage of the European Championship in Germany with a solid record. Eight matches were played, and one loss came against Scotland, a result that slightly clouded the tenure of Luis de la Fuente as the national team coach. A senior member of the team, Haro, reflected on the campaign, noting: “I’d rate the players’ performance an A. We aimed to win every game, which didn’t happen, but the work to build a cohesive unit and implement the game plan was impressive.”
The players themselves praised the managerial group. Captain Álvaro Morata emphasized that progress takes time and the team must keep working together. He added that de la Fuente has earned strong trust from the squad to create compact blocks, and he expressed a wish to see the coach continue guiding the national side after the European Championship.
“Martyr comrade” Gavi’s night of misfortune: “The locker room became an awakening”
Fermin de la Calle
Candidate or favorite for the European Championship?
The current squad’s trajectory paints a clear picture of a side in transition. As Morata warned, a new cycle of triumphs began with success in the Nations League. Temuri Ketsbaia, speaking from the Cypriot camp, noted Spain’s prowess after a 1-3 defeat in Limassol the previous Thursday, arguing that Spain is the world’s best team in its current form and that the squad has qualities surpassing the 2008–2012 era. He called Spain the favorite for the tournament. Willy Sagnol, the former French winger now coaching in Georgia, echoed that view, asserting that Spain are the leading contenders in Europe.
The distinctive use of wide players and vertical runs marks a key difference between de la Fuente’s Spain and the prior era under Luis Enrique. The national team found the back of the net frequently, scoring 25 goals across the competition, averaging more than three per game. Eight goals came from headers, with no penalties, one own goal, and all goals produced after 102 attempts, including 48 on target and five from the goal itself.
Spain vs. Georgia: Germany remains the top seed, but Gavi suffers injury
Fermin de la Calle
Spain and Georgia fought to a 1-1 draw in the first half, with Gavi forced to withdraw due to injury. A subsequent update placed him in doubt for the upcoming fixtures.
Less possession, more shooting, more goals
Spain bounced back by pressing high and using the wings to create chances, finishing with 25 goals and ranking as one of the top scorers. While Portugal dominated with 36 points from 10 wins, and France posted 27 points (14 against Gibraltar), the Spaniards stood out for their collective efficiency. Individual leaders included Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappé, Kane, Hojlund, and others, but Spain’s strength lay in a cohesive, goal-oriented team performance. Joselu and Morata led the line with 5 and 4 goals respectively, while Dani Olmo, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal contributed important strikes. Additional depth came from Alex Baena, Merino, Sancet, Oyarzabal, Le Normand, and Nico Williams, who also supplied several assists. The side maintained a high share of possession, averaging around two-thirds of the ball, and completed a substantial volume of passes, underscoring the strategic emphasis on ball control.
Defensively, the team pressed relentlessly, forcing opponents into mistakes and recovering balls high up the pitch. Spain conceded relatively few fouls and allowed limited shooting opportunities, with Rodri and Laporte among the most active players in recovery and ball recovery. The disciplinary tally stood at 16 yellow cards for the group.
De la Fuente called up 44 players, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marco Asensio, Iago Aspas, Azpilicueta, Álex Baena, Balde, Carvajal, Ceballos, Ansu Fati, Nacho, Aleix García, David García, Fran García, Gayá, Grimaldo, Rodri, Borja Iglesias, Laporte, Le Normand, Íñigo Martínez, Merino, Morata, Navas, Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal, Pedraza, Yeremy Pino, Pedro Porro, Gavi, David Raya, Remiro, Riquelme, Abel Ruiz, Fabián, Sancet, Joselu, Unai Simón, Robert Sánchez, Ferran Torres, Pau Torres, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Bryan Zaragoza and Martín Zubimendi. The coach described the group as a foundation for a “great team,” while players acknowledged a clear idea and style. There was still work to do, but the commitment and involvement of the players stood out.
From the 4-2-3-1 preference to a flexible 4-1-4-1 in defense
The attacking concept centers on a fluid 4-2-3-1, capable of shifting to 4-3-3 as the situation demands. Unai Simón’s footwork is crucial when distributing from the back. Center-backs push wider, full-backs release into the lanes, and both Rodri and the midfielders rush to support the buildup. The aim is pace and verticality from the middle third onward, to sustain pressure and create space for forwards like Joselu or Morata, aided by substitutes joining in the second line. Winger roles were revitalized with players such as Nico Williams, Yeremi Pino, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodrigo Riquelme, and Bryan Zaragoza.
In defensive shape, the 4-2-3-1 often morphs into a 4-1-4-1, with Morata or Joselu pushing high and Rodri screening the back line. The emphasis on consistency in defense helped power the Nations League run and kept the team competitive against stronger opponents such as Italy or Norway. The core group blends seasoned players like Navas or Carvajal with others who bring extra value beyond media visibility. The captain’s circle includes Morata, Carvajal, Navas, and Rodri, a mix of demonstrable talent and quiet leadership.
Many members of the squad have previously worn the youth national team jerseys, reinforcing a shared philosophy that supports both experience and renewal. This balance is evident in the leadership cluster and the youthful energy of players stepping into more prominent roles.