A Spanish national team, which has seen some quiet finally after news of Real Madrid winger, Brahim Diaz’s nationality switch to Morocco broke, is set to test its squad before the start of the Euros against South American giants, Colombia on Friday night.
For the Colombians, too, this game presents them with an opportunity to see first-hand what they are capable of against top-ranked teams in Europe before they try to win their first Copa America title since 2001 later this year when the tournament starts in June.
Spain’s Young Talents like Nico & Yamal, to Justify Their Euros Inclusion
Spain has three friendly matches lined up before the start of the European Championship in Germany in June, i.e. this one, another against Brazil, and the final one against Albania, and all these games are to help manager Luis de la Fuente choose his final 23-man squad.
While there are some names like the proven old guard that might be guaranteed for the tournament, for the young lads, some if not all, might have to use these games to show the manager that they can offer something at the tournament.
While of Spain’s young core, Barca pair of Pedri and Gavi seem guaranteed starters, with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams now gradually establishing himself as one too, there are others like Pau Cubarsi, Alex Baena, Yamal, Ohain Sancet, Martin Zubemendi and Daniel Vivian, all with less than 5 caps for the senior national team will have to prove themselves.
Called up for these friendlies, they would all be hoping to use these games, especially with Pedri and Gavi absent through injuries, to try to impress the manager and their senior teammates ahead of their first game of the Euros against Luka Modric’s Croatia in June.
Colombia Have an Unbeaten Run to Protect
While Spain comes into this friendly on an eight-game winning run, Colombia come into this one unbeaten in their last 19 matches in all competitions, with their last defeat being a 1-0 loss to Argentina in February 2022.
Aside from that, Nestor Lorenzo's side is on a four-game winning run in all competitions, including a 2-1 success over Brazil in November, with their last two matches being friendlies, where they beat Venezuela 1-0 and Mexico 3-2 in their final two games of 2023.
So if it is a test Spain wants, they will have one against this Colombian side, who have shown they will provide stern competition for Spain in West Ham’s London Stadium on Friday.
Match Stats
- Spain hasn't lost in their last 8 matches in all competitions, while Colombia haven't lost in their last 19 matches in all competitions.
- Spain and Colombia have met twice only in the past, all in friendlies with Spain winning 1-0 when the two met in 2011 and drew 2-2 in 2017.
- Spain have scored 15 goals in their last 5 games in all competitions while conceding just 2. Colombia on the other hand, have scored 6 and conceded just 3.
You can check out the Spain vs Colombia friendly game on MSport here.
