Trainer Luis Enrique attempted to stick positive about Spain’s possibilities of advancing within the Countries League following a disappointing house loss to Switzerland.
In the end, Los angeles Roja can nonetheless protected a place within the Ultimate 4 with a win in Portugal on Tuesday. “It’s a last and we can pass there to take a look at to win it,” Luis Enrique mentioned after the 2-1 loss to Switzerland on the weekend, which dropped Spain from first to 2nd in Workforce A2 forward of the decisive fit in Braga.
However beating Portugal isn’t one thing Spain has been in a position to do not too long ago. The Iberian neighbors have drawn their final 4 fits, and Spain has now not gained at Portugal in just about 20 years. Its final victory towards Portugal got here in a penalty shootout within the semifinals of the 2012 Eu Championship, and prior to that it gained within the spherical of 16 of the 2010 Global Cup in a fit the place Portugal complained of an offside on David Villa’s profitable purpose in the second one part.
Enjoying in Portugal, Spain is winless since a 3-0 victory in a pleasant in 2003, when Fernando Torres made his nationwide workforce debut with Spain, and now not lengthy after Cristiano Ronaldo started enjoying for Portugal. The groups have drawn 4 instantly since trainer Fernando Santos took over Portugal after the 2014 Global Cup.
Spain wishes the victory after seeing its 22-game unbeaten run at house ended by means of Switzerland on Saturday. Portugal gained 4-0 on the Czech Republic to take first position and earn a possibility to advance with a draw on Tuesday. “Our purpose will be the similar although Spain hadn’t misplaced, we can attempt to win the fit in Braga,” mentioned Portugal defender Diogo Dalot, who scored two times towards the Czech Republic. “It’s going to be a sophisticated fit however we can do out absolute best to make it to the following spherical.”
Most effective the crowd winners advance to the Ultimate 4, which can be performed subsequent June. Portugal has 10 issues, two greater than Spain. Switzerland has six issues, two greater than the Czech Republic forward in their fit in Switzerland to take a look at to steer clear of relegation.
Spain is searching for its 2nd consecutive look within the Ultimate 4 after completing runner-up to France final yr. At the moment, it additionally wanted a last-day victory to advance to the Ultimate 4, and it did it by means of stunning Germany 6-0 at house. Luis Enrique mentioned he didn’t be expecting many adjustments within the squad for the fit towards Portugal in spite of the loss on Saturday, even though he admitted the workforce needed to beef up its protecting of set items, which is how Switzerland scored either one of its targets.
Portugal, the winner of the inaugural version of the Countries League in 2019, would possibly see the go back of ahead João Félix, who was once now not to be had for the fit towards the Czech Republic as a result of an damage. He rejoined his teammates in coaching on Sunday.
