An early Ferran Torres strike gave Spain’s second-string facet a 1-0 win over Albania on Monday because the three-time champions completed the Euro 2024 group stage with an ideal report and the defeat eradicated their opponents. Barcelona winger Torres completed off a effective transfer within the thirteenth minute in Duesseldorf to puncture the ambiance in a stadium crammed with a majority of noisy Albanian followers. Nevertheless, this sport was not a cruise for a Spain workforce displaying 10 adjustments to the facet which began their 1-0 win over Italy 4 days earlier. Spain had already secured high spot in Group B, however Albania knew they realistically wanted a win to undergo and that made for a frantic encounter at instances, notably as they pushed ahead within the second half.

Regardless of their finest efforts, Albania go dwelling after choosing up just one level and ending backside of a troublesome part.

It’s a regression for them from their debut European Championship look in 2016, when additionally they went out within the first spherical however did handle to win a sport.

Beating a Spain facet who’ve in all probability been essentially the most spectacular up to now in Germany was all the time going to be a giant ask for Albania, coached by former Barcelona left-back Sylvinho.

It’s the first time since 2008 that Spain have gained all three group video games at both a World Cup or European Championship.

Coach Luis de la Fuente can now flip his full attentions to a last-16 tie in Cologne on Sunday towards an as-yet unknown third-place finisher.

Centre-half Aymeric Laporte was the one Spain participant to maintain his place following the Italy sport, with key midfielder Rodri suspended and everybody else given a breather.

Goalkeeper David Raya, defender Dani Vivian, left-back Alejandro Grimaldo and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, all largely untested at worldwide degree, got here in.

There was additionally a begin for Jesus Navas, who was a part of the Spain groups that gained the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and who’s now 38.

Even Laporte was eliminated at half-time, changed by Robin Le Normand, whereas Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata additionally appeared within the second half.

Albania, ranked 66th on the planet, knew it will be a giant ask to beat Spain having misplaced all of their eight earlier conferences.

Spain first threatened within the twelfth minute when Mikel Merino’s header was saved by goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, and a minute later they have been forward.

Dani Olmo stepped into the area between the Albanian traces to obtain a move, after which fed a measured ball in behind for Torres to latch onto.

The previous Manchester Metropolis participant timed his run completely and completed with precision too, his first-time effort stepping into off the far publish.

Torres has made a behavior of scoring at these tournaments, having netted twice on the final Euros and twice on the 2022 World Cup.

It took Albania till the ultimate minute of the half to check Raya, the Arsenal shot-stopper flying to his proper to parry a robust strike by Kristjan Asllani.

Joselu hooked a Grimaldo cross simply large moments after the restart for Spain, earlier than the Albanian followers raised the noise ranges as they turned conscious of occasions within the different match.

They have been very near equalising when substitute Armando Broja met an Asllani free-kick and tried to lob Raya, however the goalkeeper saved.

Asllani then fizzed an effort simply large, and Broja was once more denied by Raya in stoppage time as Albania bowed out.

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