De la Fuente has got Spain ´excited´, says matchwinner Torres

Ferran Torres says Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has “got us all excited” after they stayed perfect at Euro 2024 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Albania.

La Roja were already assured of top spot in Group B and qualification for the last 16, but ensured they advanced to the knockout stages with three wins from three games, and without conceding a goal.

Torres, one of 10 changes from Thursday’s 1-0 win over Italy, scored the only goal after just 13 minutes in Dusseldorf, latching onto Dani Olmo’s precise throughball and beating Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha with a wonderful first-time finish.

The Barcelona forward’s seventh direct goal involvement (five goals, two assists) is the joint-most by any Spain player since De la Fuente took charge (level with Joselu).

And the confidence and momentum is quickly gathering momentum for La Roja, who last won all three group-stage matches at a European Championship in their title-winning campaign of 2008.

“I’m proud to represent my country,” Torres said. “I’m going to make the most of the opportunities that the coach gives me, with goals, assists, defensive work.

“I want to continue making history with Spain. I’m not going to stop until I do. I don’t care [who we face next]. We’re a great team, we’re working hard, and the coach has got us all excited.”

On his goal, he added: “Before the match, I had already talked about it with [Dani] Olmo, that he would give me those passes into space. I didn’t think twice when it came to me.”