Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Albania0 - 1Spain

sportsmole.co.uk, 24 June 2024, 20:53
Spain have won all three group games a the European Championship for the first time since 2008 after they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory to end Albania's Euro 2024 journey.

With top spot already secured, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente opted to make 10 changes for Spain's final match in Group B.

Those alterations did not have any adverse effect as Ferran Torres required just 13 minutes to slot a left-shot strike out of the reach of Brentford's Thomas Strakosha.

After experiencing a difficult first period, Albania offered a significant improvement in the second half as they desperately searched to turn the game on its head.

However, they could find no way through a stubborn Spain backline, ensuring they finished bottom of Group B with just a point to their name.

As for Spain, they will now turn their focus to the knockout round as they continue to dream of replicating the European Championship triumphs of 2008 and 2012.

Torres gets early breakthrough

Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was the only survivor from Thursday's 1-0 win over Italy as De la Fuente opted to give his regular starters a rest ahead of the knockout rounds.

In contrast to the Spain boss, Albania manager Sylvinho made just one change for the must-win game, replacing Elseid Hysaj with Rayo Vallecano right-back Ivan Balliu.

La Roja wasted little time in creating the game's first chance, with Jesus Navas standing the ball up for Mikel Merino to draw a smart stop from Strakosha.

Joselu, who is closing in on a move to Qatar, then headed over to the bar to offer another warning sign to the Albanian backline.

Just moments later, Albania's fears came to fruition as Olmo produced a well-weighted through ball to slip in Torres, who opened his body to send a left foot shot in off the far post.

With a narrow lead established, Spain appeared to be in complete control and cruising towards the break until Kristjan Asllani reminded them that they were still in a contest.

Asllani collected the ball on the edge of the box, before seeing his powerful shot pushed away by the outstretched Raya.

More to follow.

Show more

Top News

2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly set his sight on playing at the 2026 World Cup and is ready to accept a reduced role with the Citizens next season in order to secure his place with Belgium at the tournament. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly monitored Georgian wonderkid Saba Kharebashvili amidst interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a clash that could impact the race for European football and the relegation battle in the Turkish Super Lig, Istanbul Basaksehir are set to host Sivasspor at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr cult hero Anderson Talisca has got involved in his old side's affairs, leading to suggestions he was targeting Cristiano Ronaldo. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's teenage starlet Nico O'Reilly was at the double as the Sky Blues secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 comeback win over a spirited Plymouth Argyle side at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Los Blancos preparing to battle a number of clubs for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha left his side a man down and out of the FA Cup with a bizarre last minute red card. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly view Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim, should the club decide to make another change in the dug-out at the end of the campaign. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Millwall supporters are set to be investigated by the Football Association for homophobic chants aimed at Ben Chilwell. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes to his starting lineup for this evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The reigning FA Cup holders take on a team who have never won the tournament in Sunday's fifth-round contest, as Manchester United welcome Fulham to their Old Trafford home. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back. 1 March 2025 talksport.com A new rule is set to be introduced next season to combat time-wasting from goalkeepers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following their cup success in midweek, Sporting Lisbon will aim to build on that momentum when they return to Primeira Liga action on Monday for round 24, welcoming Estoril Praia to Estadio Jose Alvalade. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has warned Joshua Kimmich that no player is above the club as the Arsenal-linked midfielder reportedly hesitates over a new contract. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Despite an initially promising start in coaching, John Terry is now set to switch careers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to rival AC Milan for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho's four-match ban has been halved and his £35,000 fine reduced after a successful appeal. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly not ruled out the prospect of making an effort to sign Chelsea defender Levi Colwill this summer. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor will be looking to inject some much-needed momentum into their survival fight in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Trabzonspor at Torku Arena on Monday. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bounce back from recent defeats in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Monday as Gaziantep host Eyupspor at the Gaziantep Stadium 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston's Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend.