ALBANIA 0-1 SPAIN – REPORT
Group B winners Spain maintained their 100% record at Euro 2024, as Ferran Torres’ first half strike proved to be enough to dump minnows Albania out of the tournament.
Sylvinho’s side came out of the blocks quickly, but La Roja kept tabs on them and after Mikel Merino had seen a strong header saved, they took the lead when Torres received Dani Olmo’s pass and curled into the bottom corner.
From then on, the three-time European Champions were cruising, although Merino and Torres wasted further chances to extend the lead, before Kristjan Asllani nearly equalised at the other end on the stroke of half-time with a fierce shot that was palmed to safety.
That gave Albania hope going into the break, and substitute Armando Broja forced a further fine stop out of David Raya, while Kristjan Asllani dragged another fizzing strike just wide.
Indeed, the Eagles were impressive and industrious in the second half, but they found no reward for their efforts, with Broja coming closest when denied by Raya, as Albania ultimately slipped to a defeat which means they remain winless at major international tournaments.