136-game streak comes to an end for Spain in Euro 2024 opener
Spain head coach Luis de La Fuente.
Spain revolutionized the sport of football with its tiki-taka playing style, distinguished by short passing and movement, maneuvering the ball through various channels and sustaining possession.
The aesthetically pleasing style helped the Spaniards maintain a 16-year streak in which they dominated opponents with possession across all tournaments.
The streak was snapped during their 3-0 victory over Croatia in their Euro 2024 opener. Despite netting three sensational goals in the first half — two of which were scored within three minutes — Spain had the football for only 46 percent of the game. The stunning stat snapped a 136-game streak that dates back to the 2008 Euro final against Germany, in which La Roja won 1-0 with 46 percent possession.
After the game, star midfielder Fabian Ruiz — who set up Alvaro Morata for a goal in the 29th minute and fired one himself a minute later — downplayed the end of his team's possession streak.
"Well, in the end, it doesn't just depend on us to have the possession of the ball," Ruiz told reporters. "We are a team that likes to have it but we also depend on the rival's game plan. We knew that they are a team that likes to have the possession of the ball. The important thing is winning and playing well, not the possession stats."
Spain has been gradually moving away from its tiki-taka style in recent years, especially since the retirements of midfield icons Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. During the last two World Cups, La Roja shockingly lost two games in which it made over 1,000 passes but couldn't find the net.
In the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup disaster, Spain's new manager Luis de la Fuente called for his players to adapt to modern-day defenses rather than clinging to the past. De la Fuente reiterated that message after his team's 3-0 win over Croatia.
"One of the virtues we have is great versatility and real tactical options as a game progresses," De la Fuente told reporters. "I think we're turning this national team into something with many options. We can have possession and elaborate attacks or be quick on the break, and that's something we can be pleased about."
Spain is trying to become the first country to win its fourth European championship.
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