Seventeen matches trace the history of the Spanish team throughout 2024, which in terms of national team football lowers the curtain until next March. The first, a defeat in a friendly against Colombia, did little to predict what would happen later, an unforgettable year that is already in the annals, signed with one of the most brilliant European Championships in memory. The last one, played this Monday in the heat of the Tenerife public, who had not been able to celebrate their country for almost 30 years, and ended with an agonizing victory against the always competitive Switzerland, the best way to end a magical year.
Because De la Fuente’s team does not run out of challenges. In March, in their next match, they will face the quarterfinals of this Nations League, in which they are defending their title and whose final phase will be played in June.
Of the thirteen official matches it has faced this year, Spain has won twelve and has only drawn one, against Serbia in Belgrade, where it earned more than enough merit to win. The cruising speed of the red has taken teams such as Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England ahead in 2024. A true recital that concluded against the Swiss, in a match in which neither side had anything at stake, but in which the Spaniards persisted until the end and were rewarded.
Casadó shone with his own light on a festive night in Tenerife, where Spain offered one last joy
De la Fuente’s team finished clearing up the doubts with one of those immaculate European Championships in Germany, playing better than anyone else, in which they ended up getting the last doubters on their ship. Spain has once again engaged its fans, making the entire world fall in love with it. The best proof of all is that it is not a matter of names, it is a matter of believing in something and executing it. Because since July, the coach has been losing those who seemed irreplaceable along the way. Iconic footballers like Rodri, Unai Simón or Lamine Yamal, and he has continued to shine.
De la Fuente always seems to be right, who against Switzerland, for example, gave his first absolute start to Marc Casadó given the absence of Zubimendi, Rodri’s usual replacement. And the Barça player embraced the opportunity as if he were a son, his physical display, his recovery capacity and his ability to move the ball spectacular. Paredes and, unofficially, Mingueza also debuted in the eleven, and later Samu Omorodión and Barrios. There are now 22 who have debuted with De la Fuente, in case their titles were not enough.
Spain made Switzerland dizzy from the engine room, with Casadó as Pedri’s great squire, who playing at home wanted to show off and gave his master classes that could not culminate with a goal because Mvogo hit his shot from eleven meters. The duel had been a harassment and knockdown for half an hour until Mingueza connected 50 meters away with Morata, who got rid of his pair with an impressive hat and ended up on the ground. The penalty was missed by Pedri, the rebound by Nico Williams was cleared by Freuler off the line and, finally, Yeremy Pino – another one who was playing at ‘home’ – managed to score the first. Remiro, the only footballer who was in Germany and did not have minutes and who was awarded the starting position by De la Fuente, could have stayed on the Teresitas beach due to Swiss ineffectiveness.
After winning the 2023 Nations, Spain ended up falling in love in the last Euro Cup and took everyone on board its boat
The beginning of the second half was not very encouraging for Spanish interests. An inopportune slip by Paredes was not able to be taken advantage of by Monteiro to tie. But it didn’t take long for the protagonists to repeat themselves and, this time, the Young Boys forward did not fail. Without Nico Williams on the green, the Athletic player was too anxious, and the red one had to approach the curves with Bryan Gil as the main argument. And the De la Fuente year could not end without winning one last bet. Five minutes after the tie, the Girona winger stole the Swiss defense’s wallet and his cross shot was unstoppable for Mvogo. It was not Bryan’s only scoring debut with the red. The 2-1 score finally sparked the party at the Heliodoro, which did not continue singing even when Zeqiri, from a penalty, equalized. The fans seemed to know that 2024 could not conclude without one last song. And the microphone ended up in the hands of Bryan Zaragoza who, also with a penalty, in ’93, lowered the curtain on a year to frame.
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