Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Spain
After lifting a first Nations League title in 2023, have Spain regained their taste for trophies at the perfect time?
Check out our comprehensive guide to Luis de la Fuente's side ahead of Euro 2024, featuring tactical analysis, players to watch, predicted line-ups, betting tips and more.
How Spain qualified for Euro 2024
Three-time European Championship winners Spain enjoyed a smooth path through qualification for this summer’s showpiece.
La Roja won seven of their eight matches to comfortably top Group A ahead of second-placed Scotland, who were the only side to inflict defeat upon Luis de la Fuente’s side.
That 2-0 reverse in Glasgow prompted some iconic rants in the aftermath, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri bemoaning the Scots’ time-wasting and provocative behaviour while team-mate David Garcia blamed the Hampden Park grass being too long.
Thankfully, that night proved to be an outlier. Spain’s other seven victories saw them score 25 times and concede a mere three strikes — only France boasted a better differential.
Plenty of this squad can chip in with a goal, which is crucial given top scorers Alvaro Morata and Joselu managed a modest four strikes each.
Sadly, the campaign ended on a sour note when teenage midfielder Gavi tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Georgia.
The Barcelona phenomenon, 19, has officially been ruled out of a return in Germany with De la Fuente labelling him a “very important loss”.
Spain's squad for Euro 2024
Spain named a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Alejandro Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simón (Athletic Club)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Nacho (Real Madrid), Daniel Vivian (Athletic Club)
Midfielders: Álex Baena (Villarreal), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Fabián Ruiz (Paris), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
Forwards: Joselu (Real Madrid), Fermín López (Barcelona), Álvaro Morata (Atlético de Madrid), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ayoze Pérez (Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Spain's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Spain's star player - Rodri
In many ways, Rodri is a rather fitting talisman for this transitional Spanish squad.
Efficient, unspectacular — yet universally regarded as one of the world’s very best footballers.
It is now easy to see why he was so often compared with the great Sergio Busquets during his formative years with Villarreal.
A commanding physical presence with exceptional vision, the 27-year-old positions himself at the base of midfield and effortlessly dictates the tempo of virtually every match he plays in.
To say he has become crucial for Manchester City is an understatement. Pep Guardiola’s side have not lost any of the last 50 Premier League games their No16 has featured in but have been defeated in four of the last five he has missed.
Of course, there is quite a difference between City’s mechanically-engineered winning machine and the developing crop he will lead this summer — though the challenge is one he is embracing.
Speaking last December, he said: “I have the Euros in my sights. I am very excited. The Nations League was important to convince the group that we can win something.
“We’re aware we are not favourites and we have failed in the last big tournaments. That is why we go with humility.
“We have a team to go for it, but we have to do much more than the rest.”
Spain's one to watch - Lamine Yamal
If Barcelona wonderkid Yamal kicks a ball at Euro 2024, he will instantly enter the record books as the tournament’s youngest ever player.
The tricky winger will still be a month shy of his 17th birthday when La Roja kick off their campaign against Croatia and every indication is that he will start that contest, having dazzled with two assists during March’s 3-3 friendly draw against Brazil.
Alongside the boundless energy you may expect from a teenager living their dream, Yamal’s raw talent is outrageous — magnetic close control and a devastating ability to beat a defender his two chief calling cards.
However, De la Fuente will be conscious not to overwork the starlet given what happened to his club team-mate Gavi.
Yamal racked up a remarkable 49 appearances for his club this term and even the player himself is wary of burnout.
He told Mundo Deportivo earlier this year: “It wouldn't be wise to participate in both tournaments [the Euros and the Olympics].
“I've always tried to avoid overloading myself and playing excessively, so it wouldn't be logical to do both. But of course, representing Spain is a dream.
“It depends on how the Euros unfolds, but I believe that will be my priority.”
Clearly, if Yamal stays fit and plays to his best, he could be one of the stars of the tournament.
Spain's manager - Luis de la Fuente
Just as success tends to be cyclical, so does a nation’s preference in managers.
After the “big name” hire of Luis Enrique failed to bring the desired results, the RFEF (Spanish FA) opted for a change of tack by promoting Under-21 boss De la Fuente to the top job.
It was hardly an announcement to set pulses racing, though on the face of it, the logic was clear. Spain no longer possessed a golden generation, so it was time to build for the future.
The burning question was what impact hiring such an inexperienced manager at senior level would have on their short-term results.
Now roughly 18 months into his reign, the 62-year-old appears to have quashed those fears.
A Nations League triumph, thanks to narrow wins over Italy and Croatia, partnered by a comfortable Euro 2024 qualifying campaign means he arrives in Germany with his stock relatively high.
As expected, young talents have featured prominently in his early tenure with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, 19-year-old Gavi and 21-year-old Nico Williams all now established starters when fit.
Crucially, De la Fuente appears to have managed supporter expectations well without talking down prospects too much.
Anything but a disastrous tournament should see the understated boss given time to continue his steady rebuild.
Spain's Euro 2024 betting odds
Spain to win Euro 2024 - 9/1
Spain to reach the Euro 2024 final - 4/1
Spain to win Group B - Evens
Spain top team goalscorer - Alvaro Morata 7/4, Ferran Torres 5/1, Rodri 8/1, Lamine Yamal 10/1, 12/1 BAR
*All best UK prices available as of 28/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Spain at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now's Matt Hill:
“Spain are one of just five countries priced in single figures to reign supreme at Euro 2024, despite being a team in transition.
“With the influential Rodri running the midfield and exciting youngsters like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams out wide, La Roja should be an entertaining watch for the neutral.
“Boss Luis de la Fuente is a reserved character but does favour an attacking style, though Alvaro Morata being his first choice No9 does highlight an ongoing lack of a top-class centre forward.
“Meanwhile, there are a couple of inexperienced faces in defence and Unai Simon’s selection in goal over Arsenal stopper David Raya continues to baffle supporters and pundits alike.
“I would be in no rush to get Spain on side at 8/1 in the outright winner market, even though a deep run is plausible. A watching brief may be the best call for La Roja in the group stage but there does appear to be some value in their team markets.
“Morata, who is hardly renowned for his clinical edge, leads their top team goalscorer market at a skinny 7/4, suggesting there is value elsewhere.
“Young gun Lamal will be a marked man in Germany but still, 10/1 is simply too big about him rising to the occasion with the world watching.
“Elsewhere, penalty shootouts have been the undoing of this side in the last two tournaments and that can become a bad habit — just ask England fans. The 9/2 on another shootout exit looks a fun one to have on side as well.”
Matt's Best Bets:
Lamine Yamal to be Spain’s top scorer - 10/1 (general)
Spain to exit Euro 2024 on penalties - 9/2 (Bet365)