'We have the best team at this tournament', claims Spain coach De la Fuente

By Sports Desk July 01, 2024

Spain are the best side at Euro 2024, so says La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente.

Tournament debutants Georgia were no match for Spain on Sunday, as De la Fuente's team ran out 4-1 victors in Cologne.

Spain accumulated 3.25 expected goals (xG) and allowed just 0.25 going the other way in another emphatic performance in which their youngsters Lamine Yamal and Nico Willams dazzled.

La Roja will now face hosts Germany in an enthralling quarter-final tie, but De la Fuente says they must hold no fear.

"We have a lot of confidence and a team with talent, quality and commitment.

"Being convinced of your ability is very important. I don't want to offend anyone but we have the best team at this tournament.

"Germany is a fantastic team, they have some of the best players in the world and they are very organised, very disciplined.

"But they will face a team that is very similar to them, very committed, very well organised, difficult to overcome, hungry with lots of ambition.

"I know it's the usual thing to say but in football it's the small details that will decide the match and what happens in the end."

Only Germany (10) have scored more goals at Euro 2024 so far than Spain (nine), while La Roja lead the way for non-penalty xG (8.9) and shots (72) - 35 of those attempts came against Georgia.

They have conceded just one goal at the tournament, with that being the own goal netted by Robin Le Normand against Georgia on Sunday. 

Related items

  • 'I felt like Ronaldo' - Bellingham revels overhead-kick equaliser for England 'I felt like Ronaldo' - Bellingham revels overhead-kick equaliser for England

    Jude Bellingham says he "felt like Ronaldo" while scoring a stunning overhead kick to send England to extra-time against Slovakia in the round of 16 at Euro 2024.

    The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the European Championships on Sunday until Bellingham scored a 95th-minute equaliser.

    Harry Kane then scored the winner in the first minute of extra time, with the captain later describing Bellingham's strike as one of the best in England's history.

    Bellingham has admitted that while he was in the air, he compared himself to former Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an iconic overhead kick for Los Blancos in the 2018 Champions League final.

    "It was really instinct more than anything," Bellingham said while speaking on England's 'Diary Room' show. "It kind of fell in the perfect spot, and it was a little bit behind me.

    "When I was in the air, I thought, 'I'm six feet off the ground, and it's like Ronaldo!' But I've watched it back, and I still had one hand on the ground, so it wasn't the most acrobatic.

    "But it was a nice contact. Definitely one of the most important and memorable moments of my career so far."

    The England performance was drawing comparisons to their early exit at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 until Bellingham's intervention, with his strike their first on target.

    The Madrid man reflected on how close England came to an exit, but praised the team's belief for getting them over the line.

    "It was an emotional rollercoaster really, and probably not the most enjoyable way that you want to win a game," he added.

    "You want [to] feel comfortable and in control, but you've got to find ways to win, even if it means overhead kicks in 90 plus five minutes.

    "The difference in emotion is huge – it's one minute being dead and buried, as I saw the Slovakia bench all ready to run on, and you feel a bit disheartened and a bit gutted.

    “It's not the way I would've wanted it to end – I'm having a good time here with all the lads and the staff and one moment later, it all changes.

    "You start believing that we could create one more chance and, luckily, we got it in."

    England will play Switzerland in their quarter-final on Saturday, with the Netherlands or Turkiye awaiting in the semi-finals if they make it through.

  • Malta, PFJL emphasize nourishing champions with Malta ‘Kickin’ Cuisine’ Cooking Programme Malta, PFJL emphasize nourishing champions with Malta ‘Kickin’ Cuisine’ Cooking Programme

    One of the key components of building a successful career in any sport is a proper diet and good nutrition.

    Malta and the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) during their recent event, "Kickin' Cuisine to Fuel Your Game," a cooking programme held at The Summit in Kingston on Saturday, June 29, made their attempt to impart this wisdom on some of the country’s young footballers.

    As part of the Malta Sparks campaign, this initiative is geared towards the development of tactical, nutritional, holistic, and psychological skills of U-17 footballers from the prominent teams including Arnett Gardens, Waterhouse, Portmore United, and Harbour View under the Professional Football Jamaica Limited League's Elite Development programme.

    The event highlighted Neville Bell as Malta’s new Brand Ambassador, offered sports nutrition tips from Rohan Francis, and featured interactive Malta Shake and Go as well as a meal preparation segment by Chef Asia Thomas.

    The day ended with a lively dance-off and trivia competition for exciting Malta prizes.

  • Marta named in Brazil's Olympics squad as Elias hails 'greatest athlete of all time' Marta named in Brazil's Olympics squad as Elias hails 'greatest athlete of all time'

    Marta will play in her sixth Olympics after she was named in Brazil's squad for the Paris Games by coach Arthur Elias, who described her as "the greatest athlete of all time".

    The Selecao's all-time leading scorer with 118 goals, the 38-year-old will appear at her final tournament with her country, having announced in April she will retire from international duty at the end of the year.

    Marta has already made Olympics history. In Tokyo, she became the first player - male or female - to score at five successive Games, while she was part of the side that won silver medals in 2004 and 2008.

    And Elias welcomed the inclusion of the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, who has scored four times for Orlando Pride in the NWSL this season.

    "She brings a lot to the table, she's the greatest athlete of all time," he said. "She's playing well, she deserved to be on this list.

    "Marta's performance, her behaviour - with or without the ball - makes all the athletes see her as an example.

    "I have the challenge of finding a way of playing to maximise her game. But she knows that you can only win with everyone."

    Brazil begin their campaign against Nigeria on July 25, while they will also play Japan and 2023 World Cup winners Spain in Group C.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.