Spain vs Andorra

The final stage of Spain’s Euro 2024 preparations commences at the Estadio Nuevo Vivero against Iberian micro country Andorra.

Desperate to ascend to their former glory, Spain embarked on their warm-up campaign for Euro 2024 on the back foot, though fresh off securing a top-table finish in qualifying Group A. Following a disheartening 1-0 loss to Colomba, Luis de la Fuente’s side squandered a 2-0 lead in a goal-glutted 3-3 draw against Brazil last time out. Drawn in a so-called ‘group of death,’ Spain will take on continental heavyweights Croatia and Italy in the opening two matchdays, highlighting the significance of building a head of steam ahead of the tournament. Anything other than a thumping win against minnows Andorra would be an epic surprise, not least because ‘La Furia Roja’ sit 156 places above their opposition in FIFA rankings.

A substantial gulf in quality was on full display in the lead-up to Euro 2004 as Andorra slumped to a 4-0 defeat in their only previous meeting with Spain. Damage limitation will be at the forefront of the visitors’ minds after losing six of their seven internationals ‘to nil’ (D1). Those results form part of a more ominous pattern that’s seen Andorra string together 15 consecutive internationals without a win since brushing aside Liechtenstein 2-0 in September 2022 (D4, L11). Nailed to the bottom of Euro 2024 qualifying Group I after only picking up two points from ten matches (D2, L8), the Tricolours continued to stutter in exhibition contests. After a commendable 1-1 draw against South Africa, Andorra slipped to a 1-0 loss to CONMEBOL whipping boys Bolivia last time out.