Spain
After the departure of the golden generation of David Villa and Xavi, Spain went through 12 years of painful silence and football hardship, suffering blow after blow at major tournaments.
“Tiki-taka is dead,” critics declared after shameful exits against Russia and Morocco. But everything changed with the arrival of the unassuming strategist Luis de la Fuente.
“He changed the atmosphere in the team and managed to unite players and rivals from different Spanish clubs into one team. And that’s the most important thing,” describes the transformation of former outstanding Spanish defender Ivan Helguera.
De la Fuente restored the team’s lost confidence and introduced a playing style based on more direct verticality. The Spanish still masterfully control the midfield, but now rely on the explosive speed of young wingers, led by the elusive Lamine Yamal.
This tactical update has proven to work perfectly, as shown at EURO 2024, which Spain won without a single defeat, claiming seven consecutive victories, and still boasts a very young generation at its core.
“But be careful, these are players who are already battle-tested and can definitely handle the pressure of the moment,” points out Flashscore News Spanish expert César Suaréz.
The Spanish national team no longer wins matches in spite of its youth, but because of it, making them a deadly threat to any opponent. “They are one of the biggest favourites by a wide margin,” Helguera agrees.
Portugal
Meanwhile, in the Portuguese camp, everything revolves around the man preparing for his sixth World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41, he faces a wave of doubts that he can no longer be the focal point of the team, as his stint in Saudi Arabia may not have prepared him adequately for the top tournament.
However, throughout his career, Ronaldo has consistently silenced the doubters.
“He’s still the most important player, the captain, with huge responsibility. Remember, elite defenders, prepare for him as if he were 20 years old,” smiles Maniche, former outstanding Portuguese midfielder, in the first episode. The famous number seven isn’t going to the championship to say goodbye, but to win.
Portugal also has arguably the best generation of players in its history. Stars like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Ruben Dias make the team much less dependent on Ronaldo alone, which makes them even more dangerous.
The whole squad will also be driven by strong emotions, as they will play in memory of their tragically deceased teammate Diogo Jota, which experts say will give the team tremendous inner strength in crucial moments.
“In the key moments of the tournament, this can really make a difference - they’ll be playing for Diogo,” agrees Flashscore News Portuguese expert Andre Guerra. “If egos are set aside and a collective is formed, we have a chance to go very, very far,” concludes Maniche.
Don’t miss the full first episode on our YouTube channel, where you’ll find deeper tactical analysis and powerful stories from both teams that will shape the course of the entire tournament. And tomorrow, you’ll also find an episode dedicated to the stories of England and Germany on the channel.