Luis de la Fuente: Euro 2024 final tactics

Spain were an unstoppable force between 2008 and 2012, winning an unprecedented three major international tournaments in succession. But by the time Luis de la Fuente became head coach in December 2022, Spain had reached only one semi final in the previous five stagings of the World Cup and European Championship. De la Fuente was taking over a talented team, but one that had exited the World Cup in the last 16 against Morocco. Less than 18 months later, he was the man in charge of record-breaking European champions.

As a player, De la Fuente had won two La Liga titles with Athletic Club in the 1980s. He began coaching Spain’s national youth teams in 2013, winning the 2015 European Championship with the Under-19s. In 2019 he coached the Under-21s to their European title, before leading the Olympic team to a silver medal in 2021. Having been promoted to the top job in 2022, he won silverware within months, guiding Spain to their first UEFA Nations League trophy. What followed in Germany in the summer of 2024 was even more spectacular.

By beating England in the Euro 2024 final, De la Fuente’s Spain became the first team to win seven games at a European Championship without needing penalties to progress. With 15 goals, Spain also broke the record for most goals scored at a single European Championship. And their 10 different goalscorers – including Lamine Yamal, at 16 years and 362 days the youngest to score in Euro history – was another record. En route to the final they defeated defending champions Italy, Nations League finalists Croatia, hosts Germany and the pre-tournament favourites, France. Only England – seeking to go one better than their runners-up finish at Euro 2020 – stood between Spain and the Henri Delaunay Cup.

Now, in this Coaches’ Voice exclusive Masterclass, De la Fuente discusses in brilliant detail the tactical ideas that led Spain to glory. He explains the in-possession approach that exploited a rare defensive opening in a strong England team, as well as how Spain combated a potential midfield overload for the opposition. Moreover, he reveals how conviction allowed Spain to react to England’s equaliser by playing – and winning – their way.

Starting line-ups

SpainEngland

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Spain4-2-3-1

England4-2-3-1

1Unai Simón

1Jordan Pickford

24Marc Cucurella

2Kyle Walker

14Aymeric Laporte

5John Stones

3Robin Le Normand

6Marc Guéhi

2Dani Carvajal

3Luke Shaw

8Fabián Ruiz

4Declan Rice

16Rodri

26Kobbie Mainoo

17Nico Williams

7Bukayo Saka

10Dani Olmo

11Phil Foden

19Lamine Yamal

10Jude Bellingham

7Álvaro Morata

9Harry Kane

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