Duesseldorf, June 23: Spain is already qualified for the Euro 2024 round of 16 as Group B winner and is the only team yet to concede a goal. If it’s to qualify, Albania is likely to need a win that would rank among all-time great upsets.
The kickoff in Duesseldorf – at the same time as group rivals Croatia and Italy meet in Leipzig
Spain’s slick, confident performance in its 1-0 win over defending champion Italy means that the team
European champion in 1964, 2008 and 2012 – is once again being hailed as a favorite for the title.
Germany and Portugal were the only other teams to win their opening two games.
The one possible negative from Spain’s win over Italy was that it took an own goal from Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
No Spain player has scored since Dani Carvajal just before half time in the opening 3-0 win over Croatia.
Albania scored the opening goal in both of its games – breaking a record with one after just 23 seconds – but ended up with just one point after a 2-1 loss to Italy and a dramatic 2-2 draw with Croatia.
It’s theoretically possible that a draw might be enough to qualify Albania for the round of 16 as one of the third-place teams with the best record but it would need several other results to go Albania’s way.
To begin with, even if Albania and Spain were to draw, a win for Croatia over Italy would eliminate Albania.
Albania forward Mirlind Daku is awaiting the outcome of an UEFA investigation into “alleged inappropriate behavior” over chants he led following the Croatia game.Spain midfielder Rodri is suspended for the game against Albania after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Italy. He broke a rule that only captains can speak with referees at Euro 2024.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will have to consider whether to rest right back Carvajal or central defender Robin le Normand, who have already been booked once.
Another yellow card would leave them suspended for the round of 16.
By completing the group stage without conceding a goal, Spain can emulate a feat only two teams managed at Euro 2020.
They were Italy and England, who went on to meet in the final where Italy won on penalties.
Spain won all eight of the games it’s ever played against Albania but needed a 90th-minute goal from Dani Olmo to win their most recent encounter 2-1 in a 2022 friendly.
“We have proved we know what we’re doing, we have proved we can play against the strongest teams, teams that put pressure on us.
So if you ask me if I think the team is ready to win this competition, my answer is yes,” said Spain defender Aymeric Laporte.
“We should enter the pitch to give 100%, the maximum. Spain is a team who likes to play the ball, to control it very well. We should be careful and play with counterattacks and exploit any chance we might have,” said Albania winger Arber Hoxha.
Kickoff at 12:30 am IST. (AP)
