Spain complete perfect Euro 2024 group stage as Albania go out

DÜSSLEDORF: An early Ferran Torres strike gave Spain's second-string side a 1-0 win over Albania on Monday (Jun 24) as the three-time champions finished the Euro 2024 group stage with a perfect record and the defeat eliminated their opponents.

Barcelona winger Torres finished off a fine move in the 13th minute in Duesseldorf to puncture the atmosphere in a stadium filled with a majority of noisy Albanian fans.

However, this game was not a cruise for a Spain team showing 10 changes to the side which started their 1-0 victory over Italy four days earlier.

Spain had already secured top spot in Group B, but Albania knew they realistically needed a win to go through and that made for a frantic encounter at times, particularly as they pushed forward in the second half.

Despite their best efforts, Albania go home after picking up only one point and finishing bottom of a difficult section.

It is a regression for them from their debut European Championship appearance in 2016 when they also went out in the first round but did manage to win a game.

Beating a Spain side who have probably been the most impressive so far in Germany, was always going to be a big ask for Albania, coached by former Barcelona left-back Sylvinho.

It is the first time since 2008 that Spain has won all three group games at either a World Cup or European Championship.

"We are forging our own path," said Torres, scorer of 20 goals in 44 appearances for his country, when asked to compare this Spain team to the side that won the title in 2008.

"We are working very well together. We are like a big family. Now we are through to the last 16 and we are just going one game at a time, but why shouldn't we have big dreams."

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente can now turn his full