Spain had already secured their place in the knockout rounds. After dominant wins over Croatia and Italy, they had nothing to lose against Albania.
But for Luis de la Fuente, this match wasn't meaningless. It was a test—of depth, of mentality, of hunger.
"We don't take our foot off the gas," he had told his players the night before. "Three games, three wins. That's the standard."
For the likes of Ferran Torres, Joselu, and Mikel Oyarzabal, it was a chance to stake their claim in the squad.
For Izan, who had exploded onto the scene with a goal and two assists against Italy, it was about keeping his momentum.
The team hotel was calm in the early morning, the quiet hum of conversations and clinking cutlery filling the dining hall.
Some players sat in small groups, sipping coffee and discussing the upcoming game.
Others scrolled through their phones, reading headlines about Spain's dominant performances.
