MATCH REPORT | Spain convince in dominant win (5-1)

As luck would have it, the first time the European elections coincided with the start of a European Championships, Spain ended up getting to the final.

That happened in 1984 and it is a good omen for what is to come. Those positive sensations were confirmed this Saturday by the free-flowing footballing reality on the pitch.

The national team put on a footballing display that was enough to confirm their status among the favourites for the showpiece continental event in Germany.

In a match against a tough opponent who took the lead only two minutes into the match, Luis de la Fuente and his team overcame their opponents with the kind of beautiful play that keeps you hooked on how they move the ball in attack, their joy on the pitch, ability to combine with each other and their accurate finishing.

Luis de la Fuente changed the starting lineup from the one that beat Andorra three days ago in Badajoz and was able to test out almost all the players in his squad before the opening match of the group phase.

This further knowledge of his players and the individual flashes of brilliance from players recently returned from injury, such as Pedri were a massive boost to the manager. The Barcelona youth star, whose weaving run and thundering low drive from outside the box 15 minutes into the match equalised the score, will no doubt have made the rest of Spain rivals quaking in their boots that he is finding his best form on the eve of the tournament.

The attacking momentum until half-time led to almost non-stop chances for the home side, and that meant the goals then flowed. Morata, in his best ever form for the national team, made the most of Spain's attacking play to score a lovely header off a Navas cross. Pedri extended his tally on the night and Lamine Yamal set the tone on the flanks with constant probing runs, one of which set up Fabián's goal.

It was a dream few minutes that we hope is a sign of what is to come. The team was then changed after the interval and another goal came from Mikel Oyarzabal. In addition to the goals were Unai Simón’s vital interventions and the first playing minutes of this training camp for Joselu and Carvajal.

Another one of the positives for the manager was the total commitment to the national team the Balearic fans displayed on their return to the island for the first time in over a decade.

A previous victory in Palma, where the national team is still unbeaten, preceded the unforgettable triumph at Euro 2008. What with the anniversaries, teamwork, goals and the great football seen over the past week, this looks like it might be a tournament to enjoy.