Spain’s performances in major finals after the peak of 2012, when they became the first national team to win three major titles in a row, have dragged La Roja’s position down a lot.

World Cup 2018 in Russia, Spain was eliminated in the 1/8 round after a penalty shootout by the home team. Euro Summer 201, La Roja stopped in the semi-finals, before Italy. And most recently, the Winter World Cup Qatar 202, Spain lost to Morocco also in the 11m penalty shootout in the 1/8 round.

In an effort to find the top, the Spanish Football Federation decided to put their trust in Luis de la Fuente, a coach who is very good with young talents. La Fuente takes over from Luis Enrique with a commitme𝚗t to rebuilding La Furia with young me𝚗 and fresh football. Spain’s La Fuente’s initial performance was very positive, winning the UEFA Nations League and easily winning tickets to the EURO finals.

In the era of La Fuente, Spain scored 25 goals in just 8 matches in this EURO Qualifying campaign. This is the third best achievement, only behind Portugal (36) and France (29). Spain is also one of the teams with the highest difference between actual goals (25) and expected goals (17.8 xg) in the Qualifying Round.

Spain’s 25 goals in the EURO 2024 Qualifiers were almost evenly divided among the entire team, with a total of 12 different players putting their names on the scoreboard. This is important evidence that La Fuente’s La Furia has a relatively clear difference compared to previous generations of the Spanish national team.With La Fuente, of course Spain still relies on the basic foundations that have been their strengths over the years: the 4-3-3 diagram that emphasizes the value of ball control. When deploying the ball, Spain often focuses on coordination on the flanks between wingers, full-backs and a number 8.

The foundation is familiar, but the approach during La Fuente’s time is more diverse and flexible. Owning dynamic wing strikers like Yamal or Nico Williams. allowing La Fuente’s La Roja to аttаck with more width and execute more direct attacks and this is reflected in the frequency of crosses.

In the Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign, De la Fuente’s team made an average of 26.3 crosses per match, the 4th most among 54 teams. In the first two matches in the Euro group stage in Germany, Spain also made 41 crosses or crosses.

21 of them were done in this morning’s 1-0 victory over Italy. And one brought the only goal of the match, when Nico Williams’ cross Һit Alvaro Morata’s head, causing Riccardo Calafiore to score an own goal.

As we said above, the speed, technique, 1 vs 1 dribbling skills, explosiveness and decision-making mindset of the pair Nico Williams – Lamine Yamal play a vital role in the lessons. Spanish аttаck La Fuente.

Against Italy, the pair made 16 passing attempts together, accounting for half of the team’s statistics (29) and 3 more than Italy (13). Half of Williams-Yamal’s 16 dribbles were successful, and 7 of them were the start of an opportunity or a direct shot.

If they were luckier, both of them would have had at least 1 goal. Both of Spain’s shots Һit the wooden frame in this match, one was Williams’ powerful shot that Һit the crossbar and the other was Yamal’s melon shot that licked the top corner of the goal.

In the opening match, Spain won 3-0 against Croatia, Yamal played more prominently than Wiliams. At the age of 16 years and 338 days, Yamal became the youngest player ever to compete in the EURO finals. Yamal was less than… 1 year old when Fernando Torres scored the decisive goal in the Euro 2008 final to help Spain defeat Germany to be crowned champion.

Not only that, Yamal’s assist for Dani Carvajal that sealed Spain’s 3-0 victory over Croatia also helped this kid set a new record: youngest player to put his shoe on a goal. in Euro history. It was an assist that showed a lot about Yamal’s quality and potential.

In the last seconds of the first half, Yamal broke through from the right wing. He quickly glanced towards the Croatia penalty area. That glimpse was enough for Yamal to assess the position and movements of his teammates inside. The decision was made immediately, a gentle cross with the left foot, sending the ball drawing a curve into the penalty area. Carvajal appeared, cutting the ice and touching the table.

However, in the win against Italy this morning, although Yamal still performed excellently, he had to cede the main “stage” to the explosive performance of the 21-year-old man on the left wing. In this match, in addition to scoring the only goal, Williams created the most opportunities (4, twice as many as the entire Italian team), and had the most finishing touches (8).

Nico’s exciting breakthrough moves on the left sideline and left armpit are the highlight of La Roja’s аttаck. All four accurate crosses (from open situations) of Spain in this match came from Nico’s left wing.

“Everything Nico Williams showed today shows that this guy possesses natural football talent. His pace, his technique, the quality of his handling, is not something that can be coached. It’s very instinctive and pure. He is a big threаt to the Italian defense. When Nico has the ball, facing the full-backs, he always finds a way to cause trouble for his opponents.

Nico can pull the ball to the left, dribble the ball to the right. This guy’s passing ability and kicking skills are truly remarkable. Great strength. Great speed. And standard attitude. No one was better than him today.”

That was the comment of former player Roy Keane, on Sky Sports, about Nico Williams.

With a pair of Yamal-Williams angel wings, La Fuente’s La Roja can completely go far at Euro this Summer.