For a lot of the Nineteen Eighties, Nineties and early 2000s, Spain had been one of many practically groups in worldwide soccer.
Perennial underachievers, La Roja would typically rock as much as the most important tournaments on a powerful run of type as one of many favourites, solely to disappoint on the most important stage.
A golden interval of success between 2008 and 2012 modified all that as Spain gained back-to-back European Championships and in addition the World Cup.
Lots of La Roja’s best-ever matches got here in that wonderful interval. Here’s a have a look at the decide of these and in addition some particular video games from throughout the historical past of the Spanish males’s nationwide staff…
32. Spain 3-0 Brazil (1990)
Spain and Brazil met in a pleasant in Gijón in September 1990. It was the edges’ seventh assembly and La Roja had not gained since their first, which was manner again in Might 1934.
Coach Luis Suárez was below strain forward of the fixture, too, however Spain ran out 3-0 winners at El Molinón due to targets from Carlos, Fernando and Míchel.
31. Spain 6-1 Bulgaria (1990)
Spain thrashed Bulgaria 6-1 of their remaining group sport on the 1998 World Cup, nevertheless it was not sufficient to see La Roja advance to the knockout levels.
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After a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria and a sterile goalless draw towards Paraguay, Spain discovered their ft in a giant win which included two targets from Fernando Morientes and one every from Fernando Hierro, Luis Enrique and Kiko. There was additionally an personal purpose by Bulgaria’s Emil Kostadinov. Spain completed third in Group D and coach Javier Clemente was gone later within the 12 months following a shock 3-2 loss to Cyprus.
30. Spain 1-0 Denmark (1993)
Spain held out for greater than 80 minutes to beat Denmark in November 1993 and clinch qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
Goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta was despatched off for bringing down a Danish participant exterior the world, so Santiago Cañizares got here on to make his debut and stored a clear sheet. With 63 minutes performed, captain Fernando Hierro headed dwelling from a nook to seal Spain’s spot at USA 94.
29. Chile 1-2 Spain (2010)
Spain surprisingly misplaced to Switzerland of their opening match on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and there was little margin for error after that defeat.
Vicente del Bosque’s aspect reacted by beating Honduras 2-0 of their subsequent match, however nonetheless wanted one other win to make sure of qualification for the knockout levels. Targets from David Villa and Andrés Iniesta noticed La Roja beat Chile 2-1 in Pretoria to advance to the final 16 in high spot. Spain wouldn’t concede one other purpose en path to the title 16 days later.
28. Italy 1-2 Spain (2021)
Spain superior to the ultimate 4 of the UEFA Nations League in 2021, however Luis Enrique’s aspect had been handed a tricky fixture towards European champions Italy, who had been additionally enjoying at dwelling.
Two first-half targets from Ferran Torres gave La Roja a wholesome lead at San Siro and Lorenzo Pellegrini’s late effort turned out to be only a comfort for the Azzurri. Spain had been unlucky to lose the ultimate 2-1 to France.
27. Portugal 0 (2) – 0 (4) Spain (2012)
Spain’s nice groups of 2008 to 2012 will probably be remembered greater than the rest for his or her midfield mastery, however La Roja had been additionally constructed on agency foundations in that period.
The semi-final win on penalties towards Portugal at Euro 2012 was Spain’s ninth successive clear sheet in knockout matches at main tournaments. 4 out of 5 of their penalty takers scored within the shootout, with Cesc Fàbregas hitting the winner once more – as he had towards Italy within the Euro 2008 quarter-finals – and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t even get to take one after opting to go fifth. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, successful his a hundredth cap, saved João Moutinho’s spot-kick.
26. Paraguay 0-1 Spain (2010)
One of many debates in Spain forward of the 2010 World Cup involved the type of captain Iker Casillas and whether or not he ought to nonetheless begin for La Roja.
However as he had finished so typically up to now, “San Iker“ stepped up within the large moments. Within the quarter-final towards Paraguay, Casillas saved a penalty from Óscar Cardozo with the scores at 0-0 and Spain went on to make the final 4 for the primary time since 1950 due to David Villa’s 83rd-minute winner.
25. Spain 1-0 Portugal (2010)
After advancing from the group levels in high spot on the 2010 World Cup, Spain confronted a tricky draw within the final 16 towards Iberian neighbours Portugal.
La Roja had been improved immediately as Fernando Llorente changed Fernando Torres within the second half and inside minutes of the Athletic Membership striker’s introduction, David Villa netted the one purpose of the sport to ship Vicente del Bosque’s aspect by means of to the quarter-finals.
24. South Korea 1-3 Spain (1990)
Spain topped Group E on the 1990 World Cup and in a 3-1 win over South Korea, Míchel scored an excellent hat-trick.
The Actual Madrid winger fired Spain forward with a spectacular volley, made it 2-1 with a curling free-kick and accomplished his hat-trick with a dribble and a effective end inside the world. “I deserve it!” he shouted to himself in rage after the third purpose, in response to what he believed was unfair criticism for his earlier performances.
23. France 0-1 Spain (2013)
Spain beat France for the primary time in an official match at Euro 2012, en route to a different continental crown.
The next 12 months, La Roja defeated Les Bleus on the Stade de France in a 1-0 victory. Pedro scored the sport’s solely purpose and Víctor Valdés was spectacular within the absence of Iker Casillas as Spain gained in Paris for the primary time in an official match.
22. Spain 1 (3) – 1 (2) Republic of Eire (2002)
Iker Casillas solely began on the 2002 World Cup for Spain after first-choice goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares dropped a bottle of aftershave on his foot.
Casillas went on to change into a hero for Spain, saving three penalties towards the Republic of Eire within the final 16 (one in regular time and two within the shootout) as La Roja superior. The legend of “San Iker” was born.
21. England 1-2 Spain (1981)
Spain arrived at Wembley in 1981 for a pleasant fixture, having misplaced their earlier seven matches towards the Three Lions.
However targets from Jesús María Satrústegui and Jesús Zamora sealed a first-ever win for the Spanish nationwide staff at Wembley and it was totally deserved. Glenn Hoddle scored England’s purpose with an excellent volley.
20. Spain 4-1 Russia (2008)
Heading into Euro 2008, the absence of Spain’s high scorer and former captain Raúl was nonetheless controversial, however La Roja went on to get pleasure from large success with out the Actual Madrid ahead.
Raúl’s substitute within the quantity 7 shirt, David Villa, hit a hat-trick for Luis Aragonés’ aspect of their opener towards Russia as Spain began Euro 2008 with a bang. La Roja would go on to win the event and Villa later overtook Raúl to change into the nation’s all-time high scorer.
19. Spain 2-1 Hungary (1964)
Taking part in of their first-ever semi-final at a significant event, Spain confronted a formidable Hungary aspect on the 1964 European Nations’ Cup.
The match completed 1-1 after 90 minutes and La Roja went on to win 2-1 due to a purpose from Amancio Amaro within the second interval of additional time. 4 days later, Spain beat the Soviet Union within the remaining.
18. Spain 3-0 Italy (2017)
Isco scored two targets, together with a implausible free-kick, as Spain beat Italy 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier on the Santiago Bernabéu in September 2017.
Substitute Álvaro Morata scored the third as La Roja convincingly defeated the Azzurri and Julen Lopetegui’s aspect sealed high spot in Group G. Italy ended up lacking out on a spot at Russia 2018 following a play-off defeat to Sweden.
17. Spain 6-0 Croatia (2018)
Luis Enrique led Spain to a 2-1 win over England at Wembley in his first match in cost in September 2018 and the Asturian’s dwelling debut 4 days later was even higher.
Saúl Ñíguez, Marco Asensio, Rodrigo, Sergio Ramos and Isco all scored in a 6-0 win over current World Cup finalists Croatia. Goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić additionally scored an personal purpose.
16. Spain 2-0 France (2012)
Spain arrived at Euro 2012 as defending European champions and World Cup winners – and La Roja didn’t disappoint in Poland and Ukraine.
En path to a 3rd main title in a row, Spain beat France within the quarter-finals. Xabi Alonso, who was successful his a hundredth cap, scored each targets in a 2-0 win in Donetsk.
15. West Germany 0-1 Spain (1984)
Spain did not win their opening two matches at Euro 1984 and wanted to beat defending champions West Germany to advance to the knockout levels.
With time ticking away and the scores nonetheless stage, La Roja heading dwelling. However Antonio Maceda struck within the ninetieth minute to ship Spain by means of on the West Germans’ expense and Miguel Muñoz’s males went on to make the ultimate. It was Spain’s first-ever win towards the Germans.
14. Spain 9-0 Austria (1999)
Spain secured one in all their biggest-ever wins in a Euro 2000 qualifier at dwelling to Austria at Mestalla in March 1999.
Raúl scored 4 targets in a 9-0 victory for La Roja in Valencia, with Ismael Urzaiz on course twice. Fernando Hierro and Fran additionally scored, whereas there was an personal purpose from Austria’s Arnold Wetl.
13. Spain 6-1 Argentina (2018)
Spain had been wanting robust below Julen Lopetegui within the lead-up to the 2018 World Cup and La Roja thrashed Argentina 6-1 in a pleasant in Madrid in March.
Argentina had been lacking Lionel Messi by means of damage, nevertheless it was nonetheless a powerful exhibiting from Spain and an impressed Isco. The Actual Madrid midfielder scored a hat-trick, with Diego Costa, Thiago and Iago Aspas additionally on course. La Roja’s marketing campaign at Russia 2018 turned out to be a disappointment, nonetheless, as Lopetegui was eliminated on the eve of the event after it emerged he had agreed to change into Actual Madrid’s coach later in the summertime.
12. Spain 0 (4) – 0 (2) Italy (2008)
Spain’s Euro 2008 quarter-final towards world champions Italy was a turning level for La Roja. The higher staff in a tense match-up, Luis Aragonés’ aspect had been unable to discover a manner by means of in 120 minutes of soccer.
Penalties can be an enormous take a look at for Spain, so typically fragile within the large moments, and overwhelmed in shootouts 3 times on June twenty second in earlier European Championships. However not this time. Spain scored three out of 4 spot-kicks and Iker Casillas was the hero with two saves as La Roja gained the tie – and the idea that they may go on and win the event.
11. Spain 1-0 England (1950)
Spain gained all three of their group video games on the 1950 World Cup to advance to the ultimate spherical of the event together with Uruguay, Brazil and Sweden.
Of their remaining Group 2 conflict, Spain confronted an England aspect reeling from their shock defeat to america. The Three Lions introduced again Stanley Matthews from a tour in Canada in an try to earn qualification and performed a lot better, however Telmo Zarra’s second-half purpose sealed victory for Spain and La Roja went on to complete fourth.
10. Denmark 1-5 Spain (1986)
Denmark had been seen by some as one of many darkish horses on the 1986 World Cup after three consecutive wins within the group stage over Scotland, Uruguay and West Germany.
Within the spherical of 16, the Danes took the lead towards Spain in Querétaro, however La Roja got here storming again to win 5-1 as Actual Madrid striker Emilio Butragueño scored 4 and Andoni Goikoetxea added one other late on. 4 days later, Spain misplaced to Belgium on penalties within the quarter-finals.
9. Yugoslavia 3-4 Spain (2000)
Needing a win to advance to the knockout levels of Euro 2000, Spain had been trailing Yugoslavia 3-2 deep in added time of their remaining group sport in Bruges.
Yugoslavia had gone all the way down to 10 males after Slaviša Jokanović was despatched off simply after the hour mark, however took the lead with quarter-hour left and appeared set to carry on till a penalty from Gaizka Mendieta within the fourth minute of added time and a dramatic late winner from Alfonso within the ninety fifth minute turned the match on its head and sparked wild celebrations.
8. Germany 0-1 Spain (2010)
Spain’s World Cup credentials confronted an enormous take a look at within the semi-finals of the event towards Germany in 2010. La Roja responded in type.
Vicente del Bosque’s aspect had been dominant in Durban, however wanted an excellent header from Carles Puyol to defeat Joachim Löw’s males and advance deservedly to a first-ever World Cup remaining.
7. Russia 0-3 Spain (2008)
Spain beat Russia 4-1 within the group levels of Euro 2008 and Luis Aragonés’ aspect had been two targets up on the interval in that match.
Within the groups’ semi-final assembly 16 days later in Vienna, La Roja had been made to attend longer for the breakthrough, however finally stormed to a 3-0 win due to targets from Xavi, Dani Güiza and David Silva in a surprising second half show to arrange a primary main remaining since 1984.
6. Spain 12-1 Malta (1983)
With one match remaining in Euro 1984 qualification, Spain wanted to beat Malta by 11 clear targets to overhaul the Netherlands and seal a spot on the continental competitors.
That appeared unbelievable as La Roja went in 3-1 forward at half-time, however Miguel Muñoz’s males hit one other 9 targets with out reply within the second interval on a historic night time in Seville. Santillana and Poli Rincón scored 4 targets every, with two from Antonio Maceda and one apiece from Manuel Sarabia and Juan Señor.
5. Spain 6-0 Germany (2020)
One of many criticisms of Spain in recent times has been a scarcity of targets, regardless of dominating possession and general good play. However towards Germany in November 2020, all the things clicked.
Luis Enrique’s aspect had 70% possession and 23 photographs in a 6-0 win over Joachim Löw’s males in Seville. Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick, with Álvaro Morata, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal on course to seal a spot within the final 4 of the UEFA Nations League in spectacular type.
4. Spain 2-1 Soviet Union (1964)
Spain’s first-ever trophy in worldwide soccer was gained in 1964 as La Roja edged out the Soviet Union to assert the European Nations’ Cup, which is immediately generally known as the European Championship.
Chus Pereda opened the scoring after six minutes on the Santiago Bernabéu, and though Galimzyan Khusainov levelled shortly afterwards, Marcelino Martínez headed a late winner to seal a win and a primary main trophy for Spain.
3. Spain 4-0 Italy (2012)
Spain and Italy drew 1-1 within the group levels of Euro 2012, nevertheless it was a really completely different story when the 2 groups met once more within the remaining three weeks later.
David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata scored the targets which gave Spain a 4-0 win in Kyiv in a one-sided contest as La Roja retained the European Championship and claimed a 3rd main event victory in a row. Neither of these two issues had been achieved earlier than.
2. Germany 0-1 Spain (2008)
Heading into Euro 2008, Spain had not gained a world trophy for 44 years and having disregarded Actual Madrid striker Raúl, coach Luis Aragonés was below strain.
Aragonés opted for a change of fashion and the possession philosophy suited Spain. Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fàbregas and David Silva all began in midfield as La Roja edged out Germany within the remaining, courtesy of a Fernando Torres purpose. It was the beginning of a particular period.
1. Netherlands 0-1 Spain (2010)
It may not have been the best match in Spain’s historical past, however successful a World Cup remaining is the top for a world soccer staff and that’s the reason La Roja’s win over the Netherlands in 2010 tops this checklist.
Following a goalless 90 minutes in Johannesburg, Andrés Iniesta struck the winner in further time to seal a maiden World Cup win for Spain and a spot within the historical past books for Vicente del Bosque’s particular aspect.
