European champion Spain sets off to win the Nations League for the second time in a row. You also took the European Championship title with you. Who should stop them? And what is success behind the success?
And again a spectacle. Spain’s soccer player has with a brilliant appearance in a memorable nine goal game in the semi-finals of the Nations League With 5: 4 against France and meeting in the final on Sunday (9 p.m.) now on Germany-constructed Portugal.
For a long time it was a Spanish gala, a game like in intoxication. The Iberers led 4: 0 and 5: 1 before the game in Stuttgart almost tipped over in an open exchange of blows. But only almost.
Spain’s perfect mix
In recent years, a lot has been written about the Spanish game and the success of the team. It is this perfect mix of ball possession, precise passing game, variable offensive, efficiency and defensive stability that is currently constant.
So they are very difficult to beat, these Spaniards. The fact that the team had to take four goals against France is due to the French, who also played a great game. But even in such tight duels, Spain then made a goal more than the opponent.
Pedri is the key
The game is carried by the young stars. Above all, the wingers Lamine Yamal (17) and Nico Williams (22) should be mentioned. The key player of the team is Pedri from FC Barcelona, who further developed the “Tiki-Taka” ball own football, which the Spanish dominance from 2008 to 2012 shaped with three consecutive titles.
Because it is mainly Pedri who stirs up the quick switching game and the counterattack and controls the partly high pressing. In conjunction with Yamals dribbling and deep runs, which used to be the same, the Spanish game is a challenge for every opponent.
The Spanish newspaper “Sport” wrote after the victory against France: “Spain is a symphony orchestra under the direction of Pedri and with two excellent violinists: Nico and Lamine, the Mozart of football.” That may be a bit swollen, but it hits it.
Academies promote talents
Success is planned. For the variety of young and highly talented players – Mikel Merino and Robin Le Normand were the elders in the starting eleven against France at the age of 28 – the Spanish clubs are responsible with their young academies.
More highly gifted on the bench or injured
A victory against Portugal in Munich would give the team of coach Luis de la Fuente the title defense. It would be a kind of European triple. Spain would then have won the Nations League in 2023, won the European Championship title in 2024 and again in 2025 the Nations League. One wonders who they “Furia Roja” 2026 should stop at the World Cup.
Especially since it is probably even stronger. Other highly gifted ones such as Gavi are currently only sitting on the bench. And then the currently injured Rodri of Manchester City There – and it is currently world footballer.
Lust for football as a threat
So it reads like a threat when Yamal says: “It is a motivation to continue writing history with this team.” Or when trainer de la fuente over “So much more potential in our country” speaks: “The team is so hungry and wants to win more titles.”