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However, it is fair to say that Luis de la Fuente's side have been the tournament's best performers, and this should make them favourites to win Euro 2024.

Indeed, driven by a youthful forward line, a fluent midfield and a more direct tactical approach, La Roja have been consistently strong throughout the competition.

If Spain can replicate their breathtaking displays against the likes of Italy in the group stage and France in the semi-final, then they will likely win a fifth major international trophy.

With that in mind, here Sports Mole looks at how De la Fuente's Spain reached the Euro 2024 final.

Group stage: Winners

When Spain were placed into a group that consisted of Albania, Croatia and Italy, many thought that the finalists would face enormous difficulties.

After all, Italy are the reigning champions of the competition, Albania have proved capable in the past of producing exciting football and Croatia still have many of the star players that took them to the 2018 World Cup final, albeit somewhat aged.

However, while Spain showed moments of defensive vulnerability during the group stage, De la Fuente's side not only finished first but emerged as arguably the tournament's best performing side.

For instance, they began brightly with a 3-0 win against Croatia, and even though they did concede 2.38 xG, their new exciting and direct approach was on full display.

Young talents like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal combined well with striker Alvaro Morata, and the trio constantly threatened the Croatian defence with speed and movement beyond their backline.

Interestingly, despite their 3-0 victory, Spain had less possession than their opponents for the first time in a competitive match since 2008, and this ended a run of 136 such matches in which they enjoyed the majority of possession.

However, Spain truly grabbed attention with their performance against Italy in their second game.

Although La Roja only won 1-0, it is no exaggeration to suggest that Italy were fortunate to not have lost by three or four goals, such was the level of dominance shown by Spain.

De la Fuente's side had 20 shots in total and nine on target, and these attempts saw his team create several high quality chances.

Spain managed to create 2.02 xG while also limiting Italy to just 0.16 xG, as well as only one shot on target.

La Roja followed up this relentless and exciting display with another commanding performance against Albania, despite making 10 changes from the team that beat Italy.

Round of 16: Spain 4-1 Georgia

Having performed brilliantly in the group stage, many were quick to label Spain as favourites based on their early showings, and if their round of 16 display against Georgia was anything to go by then that label was fully merited.

This is in spite of the fact that La Roja went behind in the 18th minute and arguably struggled until Rodri scored his 39th-minute equaliser.

However, after De la Fuente's side levelled the scoreline, Georgia were nullified as an attacking force, demonstrated by the fact that two of their three shots after Rodri's goal came from behind the halfway line.

As for Spain, second-half goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo ensured victory, but with 35 shots and 13 on target they could have easily scored more.

Spain's midfield three of Rodri, Ruiz and Pedri were particularly dominant in the game, and it was abundantly clear that the trio complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses excellently.

Quarter-final: Spain 2-1 Germany (a.e.t)

Spain's quarter-final clash against Germany saw De la Fuente's team come up against Euro 2024's second-best performing side, with the hosts impressing fans and commentators alike.

The match itself was an enthralling encounter between two proactive and attacking teams, but while Julian Nagelsmann's side were genuinely threatening in moments, Spain were once again able to overcome their opponents.

La Roja had six of the fixture's first seven shots, and in fact had eight of the first half's 11 attempts.

The sheer pace of Williams on the left and the creativity of Yamal on the right meant that Spain always had an outlet to play towards, and the pair were able to repeatedly threaten the German backline.

After going behind in the 47th minute, Germany emphatically responded and dominated for large periods of the second half, but given the quality displayed by the Germans in earlier games of Euro 2024, it is of little surprise that La Roja were forced deeper at times.

Even though Florian Wirtz managed to equalise and take the game to extra time, the strength of depth on the Spanish bench meant that they were able to retake the lead through super-sub Dani Olmo.

Daniel Carvajal did receive a red card in the closing moments of the match, but he will have few complaints given his tactical foul prevented a potential German attack.

If there was one negative to the game it was that Pedri's tournament came to a disappointing end after he was forced off injured following a tackle by Toni Kroos, but at least De la Fuente was able to call upon his squad's great depth in the semi-final against France.

Semi-final: Spain 2-1 France

Having eliminated hosts Germany, Spain were widely regarded as Euro 2024 favourites even though they were to face Didier Deschamps's France.

Although Les Bleus had massively underperformed at the competition, the quality of star players like Kylian Mbappe and Theo Hernandez meant that they were still able to pose a threat at times regardless of the opposition.

Indeed, Mbappe produced a brilliant assist for the game's opening goal, scored by Randal Kolo Muani after just nine minutes.

However, a moment of brilliance from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal levelled the match as his curling effort was perfectly placed to beat the outstretched Mike Maignan.

Few players of Yamal's age have ever been as impactful at either club or international level, and his performance against France was the moment he truly announced his arrival on the world stage.

Dani Olmo completed the turnaround in the 25th minute, and rather than suffer relentless waves of French pressure in the second half, De la Fuente's side were impressively able to control proceedings.

The aforementioned Rodri and Ruiz were once again exceptional and dominated the French midfield, baiting them into pressing before playing perfectly-weighted passes towards their teammates.

Spain eventually won 2-1 and were thoroughly deserving of their place in the final.

Looking ahead to the final

Spain's path to the Euro 2024 final has undoubtedly been difficult, facing Italy, Croatia, Germany and France en route, but their ability to handle pressure has been remarkable.

Opponents England have themselves proved dogged and determined at Euro 2024, but if Spain can maintain their performance level on Sunday, then there is every chance that they could win a record fourth European Championship.

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