Football

Spain and Croatia face an anxious wait to discover their opponents in the knockout stages of Euro 2024, as the unique format of the tournament leaves several teams in limbo.With six groups but only four third-place teams advancing to the round of 16, the identity of Spain's next opponent remains unknown until all group matches are completed. Spain, having won Group B, could potentially face a heavyweight like Belgium or a surprise package like Georgia.Croatia, meanwhile, is in a more precarious position. After conceding a late goal in their 1-1 draw with Italy, they dropped to third place in their group. Their fate now hangs in the balance, as they need a series of unlikely results to go their way to remain in the competition.The unusual tournament format has created a headache for fans and analysts alike. With teams having to wait days to learn their next opponent, it has disrupted preparations and added an element of uncertainty to the competition.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged the challenges, saying, "We might have to stay awake all night in order to study our rival when we find out who it is."The situation is similar for Hungary, which placed third in Group A and is in line to qualify but is yet to secure its spot.Only one round-of-16 game is confirmed so far: Italy will face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday. The remaining matchups will be determined once all group matches are completed on Wednesday.The format has drawn criticism from some quarters, with pundits arguing that it creates an unfair advantage for teams that finish second in their groups. However, UEFA has defended the format, saying it adds excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.

Spain's second-string side secured a perfect record in the Euro 2024 group stage with a 1-0 victory over Albania on Monday. Ferran Torres' early strike proved decisive as the three-time champions eliminated their opponents.Despite making 10 changes to the team that defeated Italy, Spain dominated the opening exchanges. Torres capitalized on a fine move in the 13th minute, finishing off a pass from Dani Olmo with precision.Albania, needing a win to advance, pushed forward in the second half but failed to find an equalizer. Armando Broja came close with a lob attempt, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made a crucial save.Spain's victory marks the first time since 2008 that they have won all three group games at a major tournament. Coach Luis de la Fuente will now focus on their last-16 tie against an unknown third-place finisher.Albania's elimination is a setback after their debut European Championship appearance in 2016. Despite a spirited performance, they were unable to overcome a formidable Spain side.

Spain, the reigning European champions, have secured their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after a dominant performance against Italy. Despite having the luxury of resting key players for their final group game against Albania, coach Luis de la Fuente is determined to maintain the momentum his team has built up.De la Fuente has been vocal in his praise for his squad, describing them as the best in the tournament, if not the world. The evidence so far supports his claim. Spain have looked the most impressive team on display, showcasing their slick passing, attacking flair, and defensive solidity.Teenager Lamine Yamal, winger Nico Williams, and 21-year-old Pedri have all produced dazzling displays, while experienced players like Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal, and Rodri provide invaluable tournament experience.However, De la Fuente faces a dilemma for the Albania game. While resting key players could disrupt their rhythm and sharpness, he is also forced to make at least one change due to Rodri's suspension.Albania, on the other hand, will be desperate for a win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive. They secured a last-gasp draw against Croatia in their previous match, and their Brazilian coach Sylvinho has instilled a sense of belief in his squad.Despite Spain's dominance, Albania will be no pushovers. They have shown resilience and determination in their previous matches, and they will be eager to make a statement against the tournament favorites.

Spain, the three-time European champion, has advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a dominant 1-0 victory over defending champion Italy on Thursday. A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.Spain's performance was a statement of intent, showcasing their resurgence and marking them as one of the favorites to win a record-extending fourth European Championship. "I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of," said coach Luis de la Fuente. "I don't see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit."Spain totally dominated Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer's most exciting young stars. Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy's defenders and was inches away from scoring in the second half.Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the score down with a string of fine saves until inadvertently pushing the ball into the legs of Calafiori, who couldn't prevent it from ricocheting into his own goal. "They deserved to win and we were never in the game," said Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. "There was too much of a gulf. We were constantly stretched, we were never able to squeeze the gaps between the various units and they were able to cause us problems."Spain's performance was reminiscent of the years when they ruled international soccer, winning back-to-back Euros and the World Cup from 2008 through 2012. Having failed to dominate possession for the first time in 136 competitive games in their opening 3-0 win over Croatia, Spain was back to its old ways in starving Italy of the ball and dictating play in a largely lopsided game.Chances came thick and fast in the first half, with Donnarumma pulling off a string of saves to keep the score goalless. For all of Spain's superiority, it took Calafiori's own goal to break the deadlock after halftime. Donnarumma pushed Alvaro Morata's glancing header into the legs of Calafiori, who could only watch as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.Williams was then millimeters away from extending the lead with a curling shot that hit the crossbar. "We dominated across the board," said Williams. "Italy are an excellent side but we played very well and deserved to win."Williams is just one of the bright young stars in De la Fuente's team. Yamal is another and the Barcelona teenager, who has a $1 billion buyout clause, showcased his talents with slaloming runs and tricks. Barcelona midfielder Pedri looks like the modern-day answer to Spain great Andres Iniesta. "I want to underline the quality of this generation of players, particularly those in this squad. Spanish players are the best in the world," said De la Fuente.Spain has endured frustrating times since it last won the Euros in 2012, with early exits from the last three World Cups. At the last Euros, it lost on penalties to Italy in the semifinals. But there have been signs of its resurgence in recent times, having won the UEFA Nations League last year. Now it looks well-positioned to add another major title in Germany. "Essentially we haven't achieved anything yet," said De la Fuente. "Football can be very cruel. We have to be cautious, humble and show respect."

Spain and Italy Set for Euro 2024 Showdown in Crucial Group B ClashSpain and Italy, two of the tournament favorites, will lock horns in a highly anticipated Group B match at Euro 2024 on Saturday, June 21 (IST). Both teams enter the clash with contrasting starts to the competition.Spain kicked off their campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Italy, on the other hand, faced a sterner test against Albania, ultimately securing a hard-fought 2-1 win.The match will be played at Arena AufSchalke, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 am IST. The Sony Sports Network will telecast the match live in India, while SonyLiv will provide live streaming.Spain, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and solidify their position at the top of Group B. Their attacking trio of Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, and Pablo Sarabia has been in impressive form, and they will pose a significant threat to the Italian defense.Italy, led by Roberto Mancini, will be eager to bounce back from their narrow victory over Albania. They will rely on the experience of veterans like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini to guide their young squad. Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne will be key players for Italy, providing creativity and attacking flair.The match promises to be a tactical battle between two of Europe's most respected coaches. Enrique's possession-based style will clash with Mancini's more pragmatic approach. Both teams will be determined to secure a victory that could potentially shape the outcome of Group B.

Spain's hopes of building on their impressive Euro 2024 opener against Croatia rest heavily on the exceptional Fabian Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker was the standout performer in Spain's 3-0 victory, setting up the opener and scoring a classy goal himself.Ruiz's importance to Luis de la Fuente's team was evident in his performance against Croatia. He outshone even Luka Modric, the Croatian captain and one of the world's best midfielders. De la Fuente praised Ruiz's "exceptional" qualities, highlighting his top-level ability and brilliant technique.Ruiz's resurgence under De la Fuente is a testament to the coach's belief in the player. De la Fuente coached Ruiz in Spain's Under-21 team, where he was a key figure in their 2019 European Championship triumph.Despite his success at youth level, Ruiz struggled to establish himself in the senior team under former coach Luis Enrique. He was not selected for the 2022 World Cup, but De la Fuente's appointment has given him a new lease of life.Ruiz's return to the Spain squad has coincided with a change in their playing style. Under De la Fuente, Spain are more direct than they were under Luis Enrique, and Ruiz's ability to create chances and score goals has been crucial.Ruiz's form has also been impressive at club level. He has flourished under Luis Enrique at PSG, scoring the winning goal in the French Cup final against Lyon. He also found the net in Spain's pre-Euros friendly against Northern Ireland.Spain's next challenge is a clash with Italy, a team they have met at four consecutive European Championships. Ruiz, who spent four seasons in Serie A with Napoli, will be familiar with many of the Italian players.Spain are seen as one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, and Ruiz will be a key figure in their quest for glory. His exceptional talent and ability to make a difference in big games make him a player to watch in this tournament.

Spain's Euro 2024 campaign got off to a flying start with a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin. Coach Luis de la Fuente urged his team to remain grounded despite the impressive performance, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and focused.La Roja dominated the first half, with Alvaro Morata opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Fabian Ruiz doubled the lead just before halftime, and Dani Carvajal sealed the victory with a fine goal in the second half.De la Fuente praised his young team's performance, particularly 16-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to play at the Euros. "We dug in against Croatia, who are one of the best teams in the world, and we applied ourselves well in defense," said De la Fuente. "We performed in the way we needed to at every stage."Spain's tactical approach under De la Fuente has shifted from the possession-based style of his predecessor Luis Enrique. La Roja is now more willing to go direct when it suits them, utilizing the pace and versatility of players like Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, and Lamine."We have real versatility and different tactical options," said De la Fuente. "We can hurt opponents with possession or attacks based on positional play, or we can be very quick on the break too."Despite the impressive victory, De la Fuente cautioned his team against complacency. "We have to stay calm, motivated, and proud," he said. "We have a big game against Italy in five days. Our target is still very far away, we have to just keep our feet on the ground."

Spain and Croatia, two European football powerhouses, will face off in a highly anticipated Group B encounter at the Euro 2024 in Berlin on Saturday.Spain, under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, will be looking to make a strong start to their campaign with a victory over Croatia. De la Fuente has praised the talents of young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, who have impressed with their performances for Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao respectively.Croatia, on the other hand, will be aiming to continue their impressive run at major tournaments. Despite being considered underdogs, the team led by Luka Modric has consistently exceeded expectations. Modric, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, remains a key figure for Croatia and will be looking to inspire his team to another memorable performance.The match will be played at the Olympiastadion Berlin, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 am IST. The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Spain will be hoping to build on their recent success, having won the 2021 UEFA Nations League. Croatia, meanwhile, will be aiming to replicate their heroics from the 2018 World Cup, where they reached the final.Both teams have a wealth of experience and quality, and the match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Spain will be looking to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game, while Croatia will likely adopt a more counter-attacking approach.The outcome of the match could have a significant impact on the standings in Group B, which also includes Scotland and the Czech Republic. A victory for Spain would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages, while a win for Croatia would give them a major boost in their quest to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Spain's hopes of conquering Euro 2024 have received a significant boost with the resurgence of Pedri Gonzalez. The Barcelona playmaker's return to form could prove pivotal in their challenging opening encounter against Luka Modric's formidable Croatia.Pedri's presence adds a Clasico flavor to the heavyweight clash in Berlin on Saturday. The 38-year-old Modric remains the talisman for his country, and his midfield duel with Pedri promises to be a captivating spectacle.Spain, Croatia, Italy, and Albania form Group B, widely regarded as the tournament's most competitive quartet. However, a resurgent Pedri could provide La Roja with the edge they seek.Pedri played a crucial role in Spain's run to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, but persistent hamstring injuries have hindered his progress since then. In the season's closing weeks and Spain's warm-up friendlies, Pedri has displayed encouraging signs of rediscovering his best form.Last week, he netted twice in an advanced role as Spain thrashed Northern Ireland 5-1 in their final warm-up match. This performance has sparked debate in Spain over Pedri's optimal position, but coach Luis de la Fuente believes he needs the Canary Islander to make a difference in the final third."We want him to play closer to the area, between the lines, taking advantage of the final ball. I think we can get a great deal from him," said De la Fuente, praising Pedri's resilience in overcoming his fitness struggles."I thank Pedri, he's an example of overcoming, effort, a school of values (in himself), he's important for everyone."De la Fuente has been a staunch supporter of Pedri, and the midfielder revealed that the coach would call him after every injury setback to offer encouragement. The coach believes Pedri's potential is limitless and urges him to continue improving."Pedri had to find himself, we don't know what his best version is because he's so good, he is infinite," added De la Fuente. "We coaches can give confidence to players, but it is the player who has to take the step forward."