Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish side has been arguably the most impressive team in the tournament so far. Their combination of technical mastery and speed on the wings has made for thrilling viewing, as evidenced by their dominant performances against two top-ten FIFA-ranked nations.
“Their impressive start to the tournament” began with a commanding victory over Croatia in Berlin, followed by a 1-0 win against Italy that “should have been five or six,” according to match reports. These results have firmly established Spain as one of the favourites for the tournament.
However, Albania, under the guidance of coach Sylvinho, will be aiming to cause an upset and secure their own place in the round of 16. The Albanians have shown they can compete with Europe’s elite, having narrowly lost 2-1 to Italy in their opening match before earning a well-deserved point against Croatia.
“They’ve proven themselves to be more than competent opposition for some of the world’s best,” noted observers, suggesting that a potentially rotated Spanish side “could be in for quite the shock in Dusseldorf.”
Key Battle
The midfield clash between Spain’s talented squad and Albania’s rising star Kristjan Asllani could be crucial. The Inter Milan midfielder has been catching the eye with his performances, and his battle against Spain’s deep pool of quality midfielders will be one to watch.
Potential Team News
Spain will be without the suspended Rodri, which may prompt De la Fuente to rotate his squad further, given their assured progression. This could provide an opportunity for some of Spain’s fringe players to make their mark.
Albania, buoyed by their recent performances, are likely to field a strong lineup as they push for an unlikely qualification to the knockout stages.
Historical Context
The Spain vs Albania head-to-head record heavily favours Spain, with La Roja winning all five of their previous encounters. The last meeting in March 2022 saw Spain secure a 2-1 victory in a friendly match.
Kick-off for Spain vs Albania is scheduled for 20:00 Nigerian time at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, with Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg officiating and Christian Dingert serving as VAR.
