For its first home match since its coronation at Euro 2024 this summer, Spain snatched a painful victory on Saturday in Murcia against Denmark 1-0 during the third day of the Nations League.
With an eleven deprived of several potential starters (Rodri, Carvajal, Olmo, Le Normand, Williams), La Roja has long come up against a compact and united Danish team, led by Manchester United playmaker Christian Eriksen and midfielder of Olympique de Marseille Pierre-Emile Hojberg, and by his eternal goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 37 years old.
But the ex-Leicester goalkeeper, now at Celtic Glasgow, imperious on his line for more than an hour of play, ended up cracking on a heavy strike from Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi (79th, 1- 0). Spain thus doubles its evening opponent by seizing first place in its group with seven points, one more than the Scandinavians.
This is a symbolic goal for the 25-year-old, who had the difficult task of replacing the usual Spanish pillar and technical leader Rodri, who was seriously injured in the knee and absent for several months.
Dolberg clashes with Raya
Even if he demonstrated throughout the match that he had lost none of his flamboyant team play, the reigning European champion, decimated by injuries, had difficulty breaking through the Danish barrier, stumbling on an immense Schmeichel, inspired to win in front of Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal (22nd, 45th, 72nd) and captain Alvaro Morata (61st, 68th).
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Often stifled in their own camp, the Danes were able to prove dangerous in a few situations after good ball releases, but former OGC Nice striker Kasper Dolberg saw, twice, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya block his way (3rd, 32nd) to avoid opening the score.
Both teams continue their journey on Tuesday, with Spain hosting Serbia in Cordoba and Denmark traveling to Switzerland, all moving closer to the quarter-finals.
