Spain changed almost their entire line-up and still kept up their unbeaten start to Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win over Albania, who were eliminated.
With his team already assured of winning Group B, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente made 10 changes to his starting line-up, and Spain won all three group games at a Euros for the first time since 2008, when they won the tournament.
A 13th-minute goal from Ferran Torres gave Spain the win on Monday (Tuesday AEST), and goalkeeper David Raya’s stoppage-time save from Armando Broja ensured Spain completed the group stage without conceding a goal.
Albania needed at least a draw to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time, even as one of the best third-place teams.
Albania’s failure to beat Spain meant England, France and the Netherlands were all assured of qualifying for the knockout stages.
In Leipzig, Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni scored in the last minute of stoppage time for Italy to advance to the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw with Croatia.
Luka Modric’s second-half strike looked like sending Croatia through as the Group B runners-up, but Zaccagni swept a brilliant shot inside the far post in the eighth minute of added time to cap a furious finale from the defending champions.
Italy needed a point to progress, while Croatia realistically needed a win to stay in the tournament.
The Croatians have two points from their three games and must wait on other results to see if it’s enough to scrape through as one of the best third-place finishers.
Source Agencies
