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15 Superb Spain Football Facts!

Here’s all you need to know about the cup-winning Spanish national football teams!

Spain are just one of the 24 teams who’ve participated in the Euros 2024 in Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the three-time winners and which player was just 16 years old when they took part in the 2024 tournament!

1. Their first match was in 1920

The Spanish flag and Euros cup

Spain’s first official match took place on August 28, 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium. They played Denmark and won by 1 goal to 0!

2. Their badge features the Spanish coat of arms

The team’s kit features Spain’s coat of arms on a red and gold shield. At the bottom, the year 1909 denotes when the Spanish Football Federation was created. The gold star signifies their World Cup win in 2010.

3. They do not have a designated stadium

A football fan clutching a ball in a big stadium

The Spanish football team do not play their home fixtures at any fixed stadium. They often play at stadiums at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Barcelona’s Camp Nou, Seville’s Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium and Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium.

4. The captain is Jesús Navas

Jesús Navas was born in Seville and represented his home town club from 2003 to 2013, and from 2017 following a spell at Manchester City. He made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2009 and was part of the team which won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the Euros winning side two years later.

5. David Villa is the team’s highest goal scorer

David Villa played club football at Sporting Gijón, Real Zaragoza, Valencia, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, New York City FC and finished his career at Vissel Kobe in Japan. Villa is Spain’s all-time top scorer with an amazing 59 goals in 98 appearances.

6. Their nickname is The Red

The Spanish team’s nickname is La Roja, which means ‘The Red’, which is also the colour of their home kit. Some fans also call them La Furia Roja, which means ‘The Red Fury’, because of their determination to win every game.

7. Their biggest win was against Bulgaria

The Spanish national football team’s biggest win is a 13-0 victory against Bulgaria. This match took place on August 22, 1933, in Madrid.

8. Their biggest defeat was against Italy and England

The Spanish team’s biggest defeat came at the hands of Italy, in Holland, in a 1928 game that ended 7-1. A few years later, it was England’s turn to dole out some misery in London on December 9, 1931.

9. Spain’s Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to take part in the Euros

Spain's Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to take part in the Euros
uefa.com

The Spanish player was aged just 16 years and 338 days when he took to the pitch during the team’s match against Croatia on June 15, 2024 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Not only that, he assisted Dani Carvajal’s goal in their 3-0 win. 

10. The Spanish women’s team won the World Cup in 2023

Alexia Putellas in FIFA 23
EA Sports

The Spanish women’s team lifted the trophy at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, beating England 1-0 in a tense game in Sydney.

11. The men’s national team manager is Luis de la Fuente

Luis de la Fuente was born in La Rioja and was a left-back for the likes of Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Deportivo Alavés. After managing teams like Aurrera, as well as Sevilla and Atheltic Bilbao’s youth teams, and Spains, U19, U21 and U23 squads, he was appointed the country’s head coach in 2022.

12. They’ve won many trophies

Spain’s trophy cabinet has been put to good use. They won the 2010 World Cup, the European Championships in 1964, 2008 and 2012 and the Nations League Final in 2023.

13. The fastest goal scored by Spain took 23 seconds

The fastest goal scored by Spain was by forward Fernando Torres, who scored just 23 seconds into a match against Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. The team went on to win the entire tournament!

14. They’ve made 16 appearances in the World Cup

The Spanish team have made 16 appearances in the World Cup, beginning in 1934. In 1982, they hosted the tournament and will do again in 2030, along with Portugal and Morocco.

15. Their most-capped player is Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos’ international career spanned from 2005 to 2021. During that time, he represented his country 180 times and scored 23 goals!