QEU Spain has won a title with this team deserves a celebration in style. And on top of that on penalties, where lately we had been laughing more than anything else. Let’s be honest: we have witnessed a small miracle in a tournament that is several steps below a European Championship or a World Cup. But let’s celebrate, it is likely that it will take us many years to win another one. Because the Spanish team is fair. To think otherwise would be to deceive ourselves.
Spain, Eurocopa 64 aside, only won when ten world stars got together in the team. The stars aligned and we suddenly found ourselves with Iker Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Piqu, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Fbregas, Villa and Torres… Except for Rodrigo, not one of the players in this team comes close to the level of those players. So let’s value this title and hope that Spain qualifies for the next European Championship, which is not easy. to time.
The title came after 120 minutes in which Spain lacked depth and clarity in attack. The crisis of footballers in attack for the future is worrying. The bet was Ansu Fati and his injury left him at 50%. Despite everything, it was the best when he jumped onto the pitch. But no goal. The goals came from the penalty spot. This time yes, Spain was very successful. Unai Simón was decisive with two saves and Carvajal scored the decisive one with a panenkazo after a very well executed shootout in which only Laporte failed.
Carvajal and the Real Madrid DNA
Nobody saw this coming, that the decisive one, after Laporte’s ruling, was thrown by Carvajal. And unless he threw it from Panenka. It is the Real Madrid DNA, the DNA of a player who already launched in the eleventh round. Unai Simón was also fantastic, whom Bono had left a little bad this week remembering the batch in Qatar. Well, the Athletic goalkeeper par two and stays with the goalkeeper. Ah, it seems, there will be no more debates.
Alba always competes
Jordi Alba rushes through the last games of his career playing at a more than remarkable level. He was one of the best of the team in the final against Croatia, which doesn’t speak too well of his teammates either. He no longer has the pace or speed that made him one of the best full-backs in the world, but the quality and the idea of the game are still there. As said, the best of Spain.
Morata has not been fine
The ‘7’ of Spain has not been well in the League of Nations. He should have been one of the leaders of the team and he has passed on tiptoe, without a shot and without a presence in the area in either of the two games. He has a problem in Spanish football in attack, without scorers who offer real guarantees. He was seen in the World Cup in Qatar and is being seen in De la Fuente’s first games, where only Joselu seems to be in tune with the goal. The problem is that there is no kid who comes pressing hard and who can occupy the position of ‘9’.
Le Normand did not have the dream debut
Nationalized for the national team a short time ago, the Real Sociedad defender did not have the dream debut. Ten minutes into the first game, against Italy, he committed a penalty for an involuntary handball. And in the final, against Croatia, he had to retire injured. Bad luck for a player who, mind you, had not done more merit than Nacho to be in the eleven. The thing about the selectors with the Madrid center-back is incomprehensible. And there is the performance: Nacho entered and was key to saving the Croatian goal in extra time.
Modric, the Federer of world football
His tears hurt us all. Modric, who is always a pleasure to see him play, dreamed of a title with his pass. But over time he will realize that he doesn’t need it, because Luka’s football is universal. It is inevitable, yes, to see each meeting of his with a certain nostalgia, glimpsing the withdrawal closer and closer. A year? Two? Hopefully his football will go beyond 2024, because players like him pass once every many years. The Federer of world football.
Perisic, another Croatian myth
Ivan Perisic is another of the culprits that this Croatian generation has made history. A warrior who always gives one hundred percent up and down. Against Spain he was decisive, saving Ansu’s shot from under the sticks on 84′. He is 34 years old, but like Modric, he is one of the players who put an end to the myth of age in football.
