Victory in Sunday’s final would see them lift their third European Championships title after victories in 2008 and 2012.
Let’s review Spain’s progression to the final.
Spain 3-0 Croatia, Group B
Spain started their Euros campaign in style against a Croatia side who have regularly reached the latter stages of international competitions in recent years, but the pressure did not faze Luis de la Fuente’s men as they cruised to a 3-0 victory. Skipper Alvaro Morata held his nerve one-on-one to get the opening goal, Fabian Ruiz doubled the advantage, before the experienced Dani Carvajal added a third in first-half added-time.
Spain 1-0 Italy, Group B
Spain faced fellow Euro 2012 finalists Italy during their second game, and the pair were separated by an own goal on the night which gave the Spanish qualification to the last 16. Nico Williams’ cross forced a save out of Gianluigi Donnarumma and it rebounded off Riccardo Calafiori into the back of the Azzurri goal.
Spain 1-0 Albania, Group B
Spain made it a clean sweep in the group stages by beating Albania 1-0. Ferran Torres’ goal was the difference as a much-changed Spain side kept another clean sheet in the competition.
Spain 4-1 Georgia, last 16
The last-16 saw Spain claw back from a goal down before they put on a show to blitz Georgia 4-1. Centre-back Robin Le Normand’s own goal put Spain on the back foot but a clinical finish from Rodri on the edge of the area brought them level in the 39th minute. Sixteen-year-old Lamine Yamal showed his ability on the big stage with a spectacular cross to find Fabian at the back stick before Williams smashed in the third. Dani Olmo, a surprise standout for Spain during the tournament, clinched the fourth.
Spain 2-1 Germany, quarter-final (AET)
Spain met hosts Germany in Stuttgart’s MHPArena in a dramatic quarter-final. Olmo came on for the injured Pedri and continued his fine form with a first-time finish off Yamal’s pass before Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz gave Germany a lifeline with an 89th-minute equaliser. In the closing stages of extra time, substitute Mikel Merino leapt highest to nod Spain into the semi-finals.
Spain 2-1 France, semi-final
France and Kylian Mbappe were Spain’s next test and their semi-final got off to a terrible start when the newly-signed Real Madrid man clipped a ball onto the head of former Paris St Germain teammate Randal Kolo Muani to give France the lead. Spain’s persistence shone through and they were inspired by the brilliance of teenager Yamal, who jinked inside on his left before driving a goal-of-the-tournament contender past Mike Maignan into the top left-hand corner. The strike made Yamal the youngest scorer at a European Championship at the age of 16 years and 362 days. Olmo’s magnificent campaign went up a gear in the 25th minute when he used intricate skill to take the ball past Aurelien Tchouameni before firing past Maignan to book Spain’s place in the final.