Spain once again fly high in 2023 with Nations League glory and sparkle on their way to the European Championships

A 2023 for the history books comes to an end, a year to remember in which Spain were crowned champions and became the most successful team in football’s heartland, surpassing Germany. Four thousand and four days after lifting the EURO trophy to the skies of Kiev, the national team once again lifted a title, in this case to the skies of Rotterdam: its first UEFA Nations League trophy.

In the Netherlands, Spain beat Italy in the semi-final (2-1) and Croatia in a final that was decided by a penalty shoot-out. Unai Simón was the hero with two crucial saves and Dani Carvajal converted the decisive spot-kick to bring joy back to Spanish football with an unforgettable victory that was celebrated both in De Kuip and throughout Spain.

After winning the UEFA Nations League, Luis de la Fuente's team resumed their qualifying campaign for the UEFA European Championships in Germany in 2024, which began with two matches in March. Spain got off to a great restart with a 3-0 win over Norway in Malaga in what was Luis de la Fuente's debut at the helm of the national team and a 2-0 defeat in Glasgow against Scotland, a result which left the national team with no margin for error and really put the pressure on if they were to achieve their objective.

Qualification for the continental showpiece tournament would be decided from September onwards with six matches in which Spain won every one, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three. With two goal fests, firstly in Tbilisi against Georgia (1-7) and then in Granada against Cyprus (6-0), Spain showed their credentials as potential contenders. With two brilliant victories over Scotland (2-0) in Seville and Norway (0-1) in Oslo, securing qualification in October and topping their group. They then beat Cyprus (1-3) and Georgia (3-1) in Valladolid to book their place in the European Championships finals as top seeds.

On 9 September, Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to make his debut for the national team and, in the same match against Georgia, to score his first goal in a Spain shirt at the age of 16 years and 57 days. A rising football star that broke all previous records. This 2023 has also seen twelve players make their debuts for Luis de la Fuente's team.

Twelve months of success have come to an end, kicking off a triumphant era for everyone’s favourite team, with Euro 2024 on the horizon as the main target for the new year. Croatia, Italy and Albania will be our competition in a difficult group stage that will begin for Spain on 15 June at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM MATCHES IN 2023

SPANISH SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM DEBUTANTS IN 2023