An early Ferran Torres goal gave Spain’s reserve team a 1-0 victory over Albania on Monday as the three-time champions finished the Euro 2024 group stage with a perfect record and defeat eliminated their opponents. Barcelona winger Torres finished off a fine move in the 13th minute in Duesseldorf, piercing the atmosphere in a stadium full of boisterous Albanian fans. However, this game was not a cruise for a Spanish team that made 10 changes from the team that started the 1-0 victory over Italy four days earlier. Spain had already secured first place in Group B, but Albania knew they realistically needed a win to progress and this sometimes made for a frantic encounter, especially when they advanced in the second half.
Despite their best efforts, Albania head home having picked up just one point and finished bottom of a tough group.
It is a regression for them since their European Championship debut in 2016, when they were also eliminated in the first round but managed to win a game.
Beating a Spanish team that has 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 stage games at a World Cup or European Championship.
Coach Luis de la Fuente can now turn all his attention to the round of 16 tie in Cologne on Sunday against an as-yet-unknown third-place team.
Central defender Aymeric Laporte was the only Spanish player to keep his place after the Italy game, with important midfielder Rodri suspended and everyone else rested.
Goalkeeper David Raya, defender Dani Vivian, left-back Alejandro Grimaldo and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, all little tested at international level, entered.
There was also a starting role for Jesus Navas, who was part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and is now 38 years old.
Even Laporte was withdrawn at half-time, replaced by Robin Le Normand, while Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata also appeared in the second half.
Albania, ranked 66th in the world, knew it would be a huge challenge to beat Spain, having lost all eight of their previous meetings.
Spain threatened for the first time in the 12th minute when Mikel Merino’s header was saved by goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, and a minute later they were ahead.
Dani Olmo entered the space between the Albanian lines to receive a pass and then threw a measured ball for Torres to grab.
The former Manchester City player timed it perfectly and finished with precision too, his first shot hitting the far post.
Torres has made a habit of scoring in these tournaments, having scored twice in the last Euro and twice in the 2022 World Cup.
It took Albania until the last minute of the first half to test Raya, with Arsenal’s goalkeeper flying to the right to deflect a powerful Kristjan Asllani shot.
Joselu turned in Grimaldo’s cross moments after the restart for Spain, before the Albanian fans raised the noise level as they learned of events in the other game.
They were very close to a draw when substitute Armando Broja took a free kick from Asllani and tried to launch Raya, but the goalkeeper saved it.
Asllani then shot wide and Broja was again denied by Raya in stoppage time as Albania were eliminated.
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