Euros: Spain news, fixtures, manager, key players, Euros record

James Wilson Updated: 09 Jun 24 11:10

Luis de la Fuente's Spain will be dreaming of a fourth Euros crown in this summer's finals in Germany.

Champions of Europe in 1964, 2008 and 2012, Spain are now widely recognised as one of the continent's leading footballing forces.

Drawn in a potentially awkward group alongside Italy, Croatia and Albania at Euro 2024, the Spaniards will expect to navigate through to the knockout rounds where anything can happen.

Although not the strongest generation of Spanish players, manager Luis de la Fuente still possesses enough quality in his squad for La Furia Roja to make a deep run in the tournament.

Spain Euro 2024 fixtures

Spain v Croatia - Olympiastadion, Berlin, 15th June, 17:00 GMT.
Spain v Italy - Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 20th June, 20:00 GMT.
Albania v Spain - Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, 24th June, 20:00 GMT.

Spain Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal).

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona).

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).

Spain manager

Luis de la Fuente

Previously in charge of Spain's youth teams at Under 19s, Under 21s and Under 23s level, Luis de la Fuente assumed the top job following Luis Enrique's departure after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Despite an ignominious 2-0 loss to Scotland in a Euros Qualifier in his second match in charge in March 2023, De la Fuente went on to lead Spain to the Nations League title that summer with a victory over Croatia on penalties in the final in Rotterdam.

Spain proceeded to win their final six Euros Qualifying matches in a row to usurp Scotland at the top of the section and safely progress through to this summer's tournament in Germany.

De la Fuente therefore boasts a commendable win rate as Spain manager to date, winning eight of his 10 competitive matches in charge.

Spain captain

Alvaro Morata

The most capped player in Spain's squad having racked up 73 appearances for La Furia Roja since making his debut in 2014, Alvaro Morata has delivered some of the finest performances of his career for his country.

Boasting an impressive goal record at international level of more than a goal every other game, Morata will go to Germany as Spain's number one striker at this summer's Euros.

Notching four goals in Qualifying, Morata has also enjoyed a productive campaign at club level having reached 21 goals in all competitions for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.

Spain key players

Rodri

Arguably this Spain team's standout player at present, Manchester City's Rodri has not lost a match for club and country for 13 months.

A defensive-minded midfielder with the athleticism and technical prowess to dominate the middle of the park, the ex-Atletico Madrid star will be charged with setting the tempo for De la Fuente's Spain at the Euros this summer.

Aymeric Laporte

Another member of Man City's Treble-winning side of 2022/23, central defender Aymeric Laporte will form a pivotal part of Spain's backline at Euro 2024.

Now on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr having made a £23.6m move from the Citizens last summer, French-born Laporte has made 29 international appearances for Spain since declaring for the country at international level in 2021.

A centre-back with real coolness and composure on the ball, Laporte played every minute of Spain's Nations League semi-final and final victories over Italy and Croatia respectively last summer.

Pedri

Named Young Player of the Tournament as Spain reached the semi-finals of the last Euros in 2021, 21-year-old Pedri has hardly featured in the national team since De la Fuente took charge amidst extended injury problems.

When fit and available, Pedri is a young midfielder with supreme technical quality, boasting the balance and vision akin to Barcelona and Spain greats of yesteryear such as Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Given Spain will look to dominate possession and pull opposition teams apart with intricate passing in trademark style in Germany this summer, the availability of the gifted Pedri would be a huge boost for the three-time Euros winners.

Spain one to watch

Lamine Yamal

Since Spain last won a major international tournament at Euro 2012, their Achilles' heel has arguably been a lack of incisiveness in the final third.

The Spaniards are always very easy on the eye and capable of starving opposition teams of the ball, but in recent times they have proven blunt in attack - as was the case when Luis Enrique's Spain side were knocked out in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by Morocco on penalties having played out a goalless draw over 120 minutes.

In the form of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, this latest Spanish cohort may have an attacking star with the capability of unlocking defences and making things happen on the biggest stages.

Spain All-time Euros record

Year	Performance
1960	Did not qualify
1964	Champions
1968	Did not qualify
1972	Did not qualify
1976	Did not qualify
1980	Group stage
1984	Runners-up
1988	Group stage
1992	Did not qualify
1996	Quarter-finals
2000	Quarter-finals
2004	Group stage
2008	Champions
2012	Champions
2016	Round of 16
2020	Semi-finals

Spain's Euro 2024 prospects

Although part of a potentially difficult group alongside Italy, Croatia and Albania, the format of the Euros which sees the four best third-placed teams qualify for the knockout rounds should ensure Spain have little difficult navigating through to the round of 16.

From this point onwards anything can happen in knockout football, but this Spain side should be expected to make at least the quarter-finals under De la Fuente.

With the last eight likely to be the minimum expectation for the majority of Spain supporters, any further progression to the semis or final would go down as a success in Germany.