TEAM

SPAIN

GROUP: B

PLAYER TO WATCH: Alvaro Morata

EXPECTED FINISH: Semi-finals

Spain fixtures

Group A winners in qualification, Spain have been drawn in Group B of the main tournament and will face Croatia and Albania as well as long-time rivals Italy.

It is a tough group and one that brings back the historic meeting of Spain and Italy, the two sides meeting in the Euros before including in the 2012 final and the 2020 semi-final.

Should Spain top the section they will face a third-placed side – which could be Scotland, a side that recorded a famous win over the Spaniards during their qualifying campaign.

A runner-up finish in Group B will bring a round of 16 tie against the second-placed side from Group A which, again, could be Scotland or hosts Germany. A disappointing third-place finish could see them still qualify for the next round but may throw up a game against the winners of Group E or F (potentially Belgium or Portugal).

Here are Spain’s Group B fixtures in full:

Spain vs Croatia: 15th June (Oympiastadion)
Spain vs Italy: 20th June (Arena AufSchalke)
Albania vs Spain: 24th June (Dusseldorf Arena)

Standings

Venues

Key players

Alvaro Morata

Caps (goals): 71 (34)

Position: Striker

Club: Atletico Madrid

Spain captain Alvaro Morata has enjoyed a prolific campaign for Atletico Madrid, reaching 20 goals in all competitions. A versatile frontman, Morata is comfortable as an out-and-out striker or dropping deeper to link play. He has on occasion been deployed out wide.

Good in the air, strong and athletic, Morata has 34 goals for his country and will hope to add to this tally during the summer. He sits in fifth place in Spain’s all-time scoring charts, just one goal behind David Silva and four behind Fernando Torres.

A two-time Champions League, La Liga and Serie A winner, Morata also tasted success in England where he won an FA Cup and a Europa League during his time at Chelsea. Internationally, he helped Spain win the 2022-23 Nations League.

Rodri

Caps (goals): 49 (3)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been pivotal to the success of the Citizens in recent years, helping them to claim a historic treble in 2022-23 and leading them to a fourth Premier League title in a row this season.

He is just as important to his national side, with his presence in the middle of the park making them tick. Lauded as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, Rodri is capable of making an impact at the other end of the pitch too and often pops up with crucial goals – none more so than the winner in the 2023 Champions League final and the Premier League-clinching goal against West Ham.

It is no surprise he made it into the BetMGM team of the season; his ability to win and retain possession is outstanding and he can even operate as a playmaker from deeper positions within the midfield. A serial winner, Rodri will be key to Spain’s success in Germany.

Pedri

Caps (goals): 18 (0)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Barcelona

Still just 21, Barcelona midfielder Pedri has already represented Spain at two major tournaments – the 2020 European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. During the former he became the youngest player to feature for Spain at a Euros aged just 18.

He helped La Roja make the semi-finals of that competition and was named young player of the tournament. Pedri offers versatility in midfield, operating as a central, attacking and, on occasion, a defensive midfielder. Adept on the ball and a wonderful passer – he finished second only to the great Ilkay Gundogan in shot-creating actions per 90 from Barcelona midfielders this season – Pedri can be key to Spain as they aim to replicate their successes of 2008 and 2012.

Previous performances in the Euros

Spain have a fine record in the European Championships, winning the tournament on three occasions (1964, 2008, 2012) and finishing as runners-up once (1984). The Spanish golden period saw them win the 2010 World Cup sandwiched between their two most recent Euros triumphs and they will be looking to become champions of Europe once again after a 12-year wait.

Here is Spain’s complete record at the European Championships:

1960: Withdrew
1964: Winners (beat the Soviet Union 2-1 in final)
1968: Did not qualify
1972: Did not qualify
1976: Did not qualify
1980: Group stage (bottom of Group 1)
1984: Runners-up (lost 2-0 to France in final)
1988: Group stage (third in Group 1)
1992: Did not qualify
1996: Quarter-finals (lost to England on penalties)
2000: Quarter-finals (lost 2-1 to France)
2004: Group Stage (third in Group A)
2008: Winners (Beat Germany 1-0 in final)
2012: Winners (Beat Italy 4-0 in final)
2016: Round of 16 (lost 2-0 to Italy)
2020: Semi-finals (lost to Italy on penalties)

Expectations

This summer La Roja possess a team perhaps without the burning, world-class talent that brought Spain back-to-back European Championship titles – but it is still a very competent squad all the same and one that could enjoy some success in Germany.

The midfield poise of Rodri, in front of a well-organised defence and a side spearheaded by an in-form Alvaro Morata, will be a match for any team on their day.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change