Group A: Belgium 0-1 Spain

Spain Observations

In Possession

• Build-Up:

  • Classic Spain 4-3-3

  • Controlled possession for large periods, particularly during the 1st Half, with patient circulation across the backline

  • Similar to the Estonia match, Spain look to progress by accessing either winger early in possession, allowing them to attack 1v1 situations or combine with supporting team-mates

  • CBs regularly switched play with aerial diagonals to the wingers, helping create isolated attacking situations

  • Belgium's man-oriented midfield structure limited Spain's ability to consistently progress through central areas, resulting in greater reliance on the wide players

• Chance Creation:

  • ​The wide players remained Spain's primary attacking threat, regularly cutting inside to combine, create shooting opportunities or deliver crosses into the penalty area

  • Combination play around the penalty area, particularly involving the wingers and advanced midfielders, created a number of attacking opportunities

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Out of Possession

• 4-4-2 in high pressure phases

• Pressed aggressively from Belgium goal-kicks and deeper build-up phases

• When defending their own half and box, dropped into a 4-4-1-1 / 4-5-1 shape, with #10 dropping into the midfield line

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Players​

• #1 (GK) - Guillermo Ponce

  • Right-footed

  • 31:50: Produced a good reaction save to deny Belgium from close range

• #2 (RB) - Raúl Expósito

  • No significant notes

  • Right-footed

  • During the opening stages appeared to prefer carrying the ball infield rather than using his weaker left foot. Retained possession in these instances

• #4 (RCB) - Mario Díaz (C)

  • No significant notes

  • Right-footed

• #5 (LCB) - Sergi Mayans

  • No significant notes

  • 11:25: Carried out from defence under pressure, driving into midfield

  • Attempted several aerial diagonal switches towards the right wing, demonstrating a willingness to vary his passing range, although mixed success

• #3 (LB) - Jordi Pesquer

  • No significant notes

  • Supported attacks on the LW with overlaps and underlaps

  • 38:00: Unsuccessful attempt to switch play under no pressure, resulting in a turnover

  • Moved up to LW following Spain's substitutions in 2nd Half

• #14 (DM) - Holmes Junior Zamorano 

  • No significant notes

  • Right-footed

  • Belgium's man-oriented midfield marking limited his opportunities to receive possession

• #10 (RCM) - Ebrima Tunkara

  • Frequently combined with teammates in central areas through first-time combinations and lay-offs

  • Regularly received between the lines before attempting to progress attacks

  • 08:06: Assisted Spain's winning goal with an underlapping run into the penalty area before cutting the ball back for #11

  • 25:40: Timed an underlapping run into the channel before showing good footwork under pressure inside the penalty area to create a shooting opportunity (lacked power). Although, better passing options were available

  • At times attempted to carry or manipulate the ball for too long in congested areas, leading to several avoidable ball losses / dispossessions

  • Decision-making in possession became less consistent during the 2nd Half, with a number of misplaced passes and unsuccessful dribbles

  • 76:00: Timed run beyond the defensive line but carried the ball into pressure rather than releasing pass earlier

• #6 (LCM) - Ian Jonatan Mencía

  • No significant notes

  • 55:55: Made a well-timed underlapping run before cutting the ball back to create a shooting opportunity

  • 56:40: Played a well-weighted reverse pass before immediately supporting the LW

  • 57th min: Recovered well to regain possession inside Spain's defensive third

• #11 (RW) - Abdou Kemo Badji

  • Left-footed

  • 08:06: Opened the scoring after combining with #10 before finishing first time inside the penalty area

  • 11:00: Beat his defender on the outside before delivering a dangerous low cross across the six-yard box

  • During the opening stages occasionally failed to recognise available space ahead, both between the lines and in wide areas

  • A technically gifted dribbler who frequently looked to attack defenders, although some actions appeared instinctive rather than pre-planned

  • 46:30: Beat the LB on the outside before delivering a low cross with his weaker right foot

  • Between the 60th and 65th minute produced two further positive attacks from the RW, beating his defender in different ways before delivering into the penalty area

• #20 (LW) - Christian Imga

  • 16:00: Beat the RB on the outside before producing a composed cut-back which almost created a goalscoring opportunity

  • Frequently controlled aerial diagonal passes on chest under pressure before taking a positive first touch

  • 50:40: Received in a wide position before cutting inside and producing an inventive, lofted pass over the defensive line

  • 78:00: Demonstrated variety in his attacking play by making a run beyond the backline before delivering a far-post cross

• #19 (CF) - Roberto Tomás

  • During the opening stages a few loose touches and misplaced passes

  • Willing to drop into midfield to receive to feet and offer a link-up option

  • Demonstrated composure inside the penalty area on several occasions by retaining possession and selecting passes in congested situations

• Substitutions:

  • #16: On for #14 at 68 mins. No notes

  • #18: On for #20 at 80 mins. Played LB. Good wide freekick delivery from LW

  • #7: On for #11 at 80 mins. No notes

  • #9: On for #19 at 93 mins. No notes

  • #8: On for #10 at 93 mins. No notes