Spain get their Euro 2024 campaign underway on Saturday as they face one of the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists in Croatia.
Luis de la Fuente has plenty of tremendous attacking options in his squad; one of the most difficult parts of his job this month might be deciding which to use and how to align them without sacrificing defensive balance. Spain aren’t among the very favourites but have plenty of reason to feel they can go deep in the tournament – we might learn much from this opening game about their chances.
Croatia, meanwhile, have a very familiar-looking squad which is packed with experience, but they will have questions over them of whether it has evolved enough as a squad and has enough goals. Luka Modric remains a key component for them and can win a game on his day – as many of Spain’s stars know all too well, of course. Follow all the build-up to Spain vs Croatia below including the latest updates from the early kick-off between Hungary and Switzerland:
Euro 2024: Hungary 0-1 Switzerland
Vargas should have another for Switzerland, what a miss!
It was a dreadful ball from Kerkez to send Vargas through on goal, but Peter Gulacsi makes a fine save after Vargas outmuscled Szalai.
A huge let-off for Hungary, who need to wake up.
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 14:21
Euro 2024: Hungary 0-1 Switzerland
GOAL! It’s onside after a quick VAR check, Duah has his debut goal for Switzerland!
Aebischer with the vision, Duah with speed in behind, then the calm finish, it was a lovely move.
And what about the technology, a quick check and the decision reversed within a minute or so, much better.
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 14:14
Euro 2024: Hungary 0-0 Switzerland
What a chance! Sallai had time and space, but he blasts over!
It was fine work down the right from Fiola, excellent start from Hungary: fast, aggressive and sprinkling in quality at times.
Now Switzerland able to settle, passing it from side to side at the back, Xhaka dropping in to dictate.
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 14:10
Euro 2024: Hungary 0-0 Switzerland
It’s a lively atmosphere in Cologne, Hungary perhaps the more composed on the ball so far and looking to establish a spell of possession.
Freuler beaten by Schafer with a tidy dribble across the width of the pitch.
And Rossi’s side press high, four against four, not handing Switzerland much time to settle.
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 14:07
Euro 2024: Hungary 0-0 Switzerland
Hungary looking to test Switzerland with long balls into their box early on here.
It’s Kwadwo Duah up top for the Swiss today, who have a question mark over their striker. It’s a live opening with the Ludogorets star putting his weight about.
Yellow! Widmer lunges in from the back of Kerkez, an early card sets the tone here.
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 14:02
Euro 2024: Dominik Szoboszlai tipped to shine despite reduced role at Liverpool in closing stages of season
“If I have to say the truth knowing Dominik I don’t think he will arrive depressed,” manager Marco Rossi told M4 Sport in Hungary. “I think that he’s thinking that in the time that he’s not spending on the pitch with Liverpool will give him more power and more freshness for our matches. I hope for this.
“But I think that he’s already focused on what he would like to do and he will do [at the Euros] because in this moment, yesterday [against Aston Villa] he played 20 minutes so it was just a warm up for him. Probably the next match will be the same.
“He’s already focused on the European Championship. He will arrive fresh and this is good overall for us. I think also that he will not suffer under the psychological aspect of this situation.”
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 13:52
Euro 2024: Granit Xhaka plays down reports of split in Switzerland camp
Granit Xhaka plans to spend a long time at Euro 2024 with Switzerland, but had to play down reports of a rift with head coach Murat Yakin ahead of Saturday’s Group A opener with Hungary.
Former Arsenal captain Xhaka enjoyed a remarkable season with Bayer Leverkusen after they won a domestic double and now turns his focus to international football.
Switzerland take on Hungary in Cologne, but Xhaka was asked to cast his mind back to September when he was critical of the team’s preparation before a 2-2 draw with Kosovo.
Xhaka told a press conference: “We are glad to have a coach who listens to us and who wants to talk to us. We have never had problems. We are adult enough to clarify everything. I have a great relationship with the coach.
“The last six or eight months, he came to see me many times. We met in Dusseldorf, we had dinner together and drank a lot of wine together. Everything is going fine. We are both ambition and we want to be successful.
“Those who know me, know I don’t like to talk about ifs, buts and hypothesis. I packed my luggage to spend here a lot of time.”
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 13:44
Euro 2024: Hungary vs Switzerland
“Let’s see this time what happens,” Hungary boss Marco Rossi said. “We qualified not by chance but because we deserve to and we’re here and we would like to be the protagonist.
“We would like to give joy and happiness to our supporters.”
While Hungary midfielder Bendeguz Bolla adds: “I feel we’ve prepared perfectly for tomorrow’s game. We have no reasons to fear.”
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 13:37
Granit Xhaka on Hungary test at Euro 2024
“We have clear aims and we want to achieve them, but tomorrow is the first game, the first aim,” Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka says.
“We want to give our best and hopefully get the three points.”
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 13:30