The 2024 Euros are well underway with top contenders Spain and Germany already punching their tickets to the knockout rounds.
While Germany rolled over Hungary and Scotland, Spain has arguably been more impressive in their Group B wins over Croatia and Italy.
Led by a 16-year-old playing soccer between classes and by potentially the most unbreakable back triangle in football, is there anyone who can stop the Spanish from lifting the 2024 Euro crown?
With the knockout rounds imminent, here are the Top Five Reasons Why Spain Will Win UEFA EURO 2024.
Spain Has The Youngest, Most Exciting Squad in Europe
Obviously, you have Lamine Yamal, who we all know is still a teenager. Then you have Pedri and Nico Williams, both 21. Striker Ferran Torres (24) is coming off the bench, in addition to his Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez (21).
And that’s just the healthy ones. Unfortunately injured are Barcelona’s Gavi (19) and Alejandro Balde (20).
The average age between these players alone is 21. And 21-year-olds never tire out.
Spain’s Coach Has Been Coaching Many of These Players for At Least a Decade
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has had a storied career in Spanish football. He began managing Spain’s U-19 team 11 years ago. He’s moved up with his players, coaching the U-21 and U-23 national teams until 2022, when he became El Jefe ManinCharge-O.
De la Fuente began coaching goalkeeper Unai Simon and defensive midfielder Rodri 10 years ago. There’s not a single player on Spain’s Euro 2024 roster that de la Fuente is not professionally familiar with on some level.
My point? Teams win Euros, not individuals. While every national program has decade-long partnerships, Spain’s ties between its manager and players are particularly strong, and it shows in the chemistry on the field.
Spain is Elite on Both Sides of the Ball
Partly as a result of the above-mentioned chemistry, Spain is elite back-to-front. Goalkeeping, defending, midfielding (?), and goal-scoring – Spain can do it all with aplomb. And they’ve got the reserves to back them up.
Unai Simon may be the starting keeper, but Arsenal shot blocker David Raya is known for taking first-team spots. In the defense, they can switch out experienced steadies Nacho and Aymeric Laporte game after game, keeping both veterans fresh. 22-year-old Villareal midfielder Alex Baena is itching to prove his worth beyond bench warming. And between Yamal, Morata, Lopez, Torres, Olmo, and Joselu, Spain has enough firepower to blot out the sun.
The Triangle of Strength Between Cucurella, Carvajal, and Rodri
While Laporte and Nacho have been interchangeable between Spain’s first two matches, the Triangle of Strength between Cucurella, Rodri, and Carvajal has so far remained unchanged. And why would de la Fuente change it? Cucurella is defying haters, flying all over the place and stopping everything. Carvajal is Carvajal, a Real Madrid legend who brings that unbreakable Los Blancos spirit with him. And Rodri is an indomitable force in the middle, capable of stopping a goal, turning around, and scoring a worldie within 30 seconds.
Of course, Spain will be without Rodri against Albania in its final group-stage match. But that will only give Rodri a chance to rest up for whoever Spain faces first in the knockout rounds.
Spain’s Momentum Will Only Build Against Their Round of 16 Opponents
As the first-place team in Group B, Spain will line up against the third-place team from either Group A, D, E, or F based on points totals. As it stands, Spain is likely to face either Slovakia or Austria, as Scotland and Czechia lack the points to compete.
Whichever IA Spain faces, they are more than capable of rolling over them. That sets up Spain to likely play Germany in the quarterfinals, who will likely be Spain’s toughest opponent. But if the Spanish are at full strength, not even the host country can stop Spain from lifting the EURO 2024 trophy.
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