Can Spain’s substitutes impact Euro 2024 final?

Spain’s clash with England in the Euro 2024 final is the biggest game for La Roja in over a decade.

After winning Euro 2012, Spain have not qualified for a major final, and the best odds on the final are available via https://sportbet.one/sports/soccer for the Berlin showpiece.

Luis de la Fuente’s team have impressed on the road to the final with six wins from six games with just one game going to extra time.

They are the only team to win all of their matches at Euro 2024 and de la Fuente has stuck with the core of the same starting XI.

He rotated heavily for their final group game, as a changed team cruised to a 1-0 win over Albania, with last 16 qualification already assured.

Eight players have started five of the six games, Albania aside, and they are all expected to start against England.

Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand have started four games, after being suspended for the semi final win over France, and will return for the final.

However, with the potential of the clash with England going to extra time and penalties, de la Fuente will need to use his substitutes bench.

Dani Olmo is the clearest example of a substitute making a positive impact for Spain in the tournament with two goals off the bench and one as a starter.

His performances have been described as a ‘luxury option; by Optus Sport but de la Fuente has plenty of squad players to call on.

De la Fuente has used his five available substitutions at Euro 2024 and six against Germany.

Veteran defender Nacho Fernandez has played the most minutes off the bench as a Spain substitute and will be called on if Spain are looking to hold onto a lead.

Mikel Merino scored the extra time winner against Germany, off the bench, and the Real Sociedad midfielder has only played 86 minutes as a sub across the competition.

He has come on in five of the six games, just like La Real teammate Mikel Oyarzabal with Ferran Torres, Martin Zubimendi and Alex Baena also options.

In total, Spain have benefitted from three goals and two assists at Euro 2024 from players introduced later in the game including Olmo setting up Merino for the winner against Germany.

Spain have history for game winning subs in finals, as Cesc Fabregas came on to set up Andres Iniesta in the 2010 World Cup final and Fernando Torres set up fellow sub Juan Mata in the final of Euro 2012.

Tags Alex Baena Andres Iniesta Cesc Fabregas Dani Carvajal Dani Olmo England Euro 2024 Fernando Torres Ferran Torres Juan Mata Luis de la Fuente Martin Zubimendi Mikel Merino Mikel Oyarzabal Nacho Fernandez Robin Le Normand Spain
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