Euro 2024

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Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Oct 15, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Ullevaal Stadion

Norway
0 - 1
Spain

Bobb (31'), Ryerson (40')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Gavi (49')
Le Normand (30'), Laporte (56'), Morata (61'), Rodri (86')

Luis de la Fuente hails Spain's "maturity" after Euro 2024 spot is secured

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 16 October 2023

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente hails his side's "maturity" following their 1-0 success over Norway, which secured qualification for Euro 2024.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente hailed his team's "maturity" following their 1-0 success over Norway on Sunday, which secured qualification for Euro 2024.

La Roja suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Scotland in their second match in Group A, which led to a host of criticism of the team and the new manager, but four straight wins have since followed.

Spain beat Scotland 2-0 in Seville last week, which left them needing just one more win to advance to the finals of the European Championship.

Gavi came up with the only goal of the match in Sunday's contest with Norway, and La Roja have now qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare.

Spain's Gavi celebrates scoring against Norway on October 15, 2023 © Reuters

Spain's campaign will finish in November against Cyprus and Georgia, and De la Fuente will have the chance to experiment with his squad.

"I know Spanish football and the players who can adapt during the game together. We will continue to trust in those footballers, of whom there are many. It is a reason for joy to have so many to choose from," UEFA.com quotes De la Fuente as saying.

"We very happy because the team has grown a lot and has a great future. You can imagine the dressing room party. We have worked to get to this moment.

'I always say that learning is constant. You learn from both the good and the bad. We have room for improvement because the demands and challenges are greater every day.

Spain's Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring against Scotland on October 12, 2023 © Reuters

"We will see what level we are at when the EURO arrives. I am tremendously optimistic and we will fight to be at the top. There is room for improvement and the challenges and demands are increasing.

"We deserve it. The team has grown a lot and is a team for the future. This was one of the most complete matches we have played, with a lot of maturity. Football brings you up one day and down another, and you have to achieve balance.

"We present ourselves as a unified, cohesive team with a promising future, which truly inspires us. We've put in immense effort to reach this point. We've earned this, and we intend to relish every moment of it."

Spain are three-time winners of the European Championship, famously triumphing in back-to-back tournaments in 2008 and 2012, while they reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.