Spain Must Stay Humble In Euro 2024 Knockouts, Says Coach De La Fuente

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente maintains that his team has not yet achieved anything at Euro 2024, despite securing a spot in the knockout stages with a game to spare. De la Fuente observed his side's second victory of the tournament against Italy on Thursday, where Riccardo Calafiori's own goal ended Italy's 10-game unbeaten run in the competition.

The 1-0 win in Gelsenkirchen marked Spain's third consecutive victory over Italy for the first time. Spain has also won their first two games at a Euros tournament without conceding a goal for just the second time, replicating their 2016 performance. However, De la Fuente insists that his players must remain humble ahead of facing Albania in Dusseldorf next Monday.

"We're still a long way off winning the European Championship. We haven't yet achieved anything. Okay, we've won some important matches. We have wonderful prospects," De la Fuente said. "But football can also be very cruel. So we need to be cautious. We need to be humble. We need to show respect."

#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024

For Albania, a last-minute equaliser by Klaus Gjasula against Croatia kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive. Gjasula became just the second player to score both a goal and an own goal in a single match at the Euros. This marked the first time Albania has scored more than once in a match at a major tournament.

Head coach Sylvinho is optimistic about Albania's chances against Spain, promising supporters that his side will give everything to continue their memorable journey in Germany. "What I promise to the Albanian people is that we will fight for every point," Sylvinho said. "Against Spain it will be difficult but we must enjoy these moments."

Albania: Kristjan Asllani

In Albania's first two games against Italy and Croatia, Asllani led his nation in shots attempted (four), shots on target (two), successful passes (91), and passes in the final third (20). The Inter midfielder has also created the joint-most chances (three) but is yet to register a goal involvement for Albania.

Spain: Nico Williams

Williams created the most chances (four) and completed the joint-most dribbles (four) of any Spain player against Italy on matchday two. The last Spaniard to create as many chances and complete as many dribbles in the same game at the Euros was Andres Iniesta against Croatia in 2012 (also four for each).

Match Prediction: Spain Win

La Roja boasts an impressive record over their opponents coming into the encounter in Dusseldorf, having won all eight of their previous meetings (31 goals for, three against). It's Spain's best 100% record against any opponent, alongside Liechtenstein and Malta, whom they've also faced and beaten on eight occasions.

Spain will also be looking to maintain their perfect start to the competition heading into the last 16, and a win will see them win their opening three games at the Euros for the second time after 2008, an edition where they claimed their maiden title.

However, Albania will be hoping to start well and make it count this time around. Sylvinho's side has netted the opening goal in each of their two group games but are yet to win (one draw, one loss). No nation has ever scored first in three European Championship games in a row and failed to win any of them.

OPTA Win Probability