Spain show depth to beat Albania and complete perfect group stage

DUESSELDORF, Germany : Spain offered further evidence of their Euro 2024 title credentials as Ferran Torres' goal ensured a virtual second-string line-up beat Albania 1-0 to make it three wins from three in Group B on Monday.

Already assured of a last-16 spot as group winners, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente took the chance to make 10 changes to the side that began the victory over reigning champions Italy.

Spain lacked the slickness of their opening two matches, but several players gave De La Fuente food for thought as the business end of the tournament approaches, not least man-of-the-match Torres, whose clinically taken 13th-minute goal settled a contest that never really sparked into life.

While Spain, yet to concede a goal, matched the feat of their 2008 European champions who also won every group game on their way to the title, Albania's adventure is over as they ended the group in fourth place with one point.

Spain finished on nine points with Italy second on four after they snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Croatia, who ended in third place with two points and will be hoping against hope that it is enough for them to scrape through as one of the third-placed finishers.

Albania's defeat also had an impact elsewhere, meaning France, Netherlands and England progressed to the next round before their final group matches.

Centre back Aymeric Laporte was the only Spain player retained as De La Fuente flexed his squad players and rested the likes of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

Albania may have sensed an opportunity to create history and reach the knockout rounds of a tournament for the first time and their thousands of fans - decked out in the nation's red and black - created a fever-pitch atmosphere as