UEFA Nations League: The Danes and Spain Fancy Friday Night Football

Denmark vs Spain

Group 4 of League A in the UEFA Nations League is hardly a football experience that trips off the tongue, but events in Parken on Friday night should be well worth witnessing.

This matchup between Denmark and Spain is actually crucial in determining who goes through to the next stage of the tournament as group winners.

In other words, prepare for some UEFA Nations League 2024 highlights.

Talking Points

A point for Spain will ensure they finish in the top two – they are currently top of their group with 10 points – while a victory would confirm their status as group winners.

Unbeaten so far with three wins and a draw, with their only dropped points coming against Serbia in the opening game, Luis de la Fuente’s side have simply picked up from where they left off following their superb Euro 2024 triumph.

Spain look to secure their position as League A, Group 4 leaders in the UEFA Nations League this season — Spain team lift the trophy after defeating England in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion

That was highlighted by their recent 4-1 win over Switzerland when, despite playing for 70 minutes with 10 men, they cruised to victory with goals from Joselu, Fabian Ruiz (two), and Ferran Torres.

After edging out the Danes last month, Martin Zubimendi scored the game’s only goal, they were also 3-0 victory over Serbia when Aymeric Laporte, Alvaro Morata, and Alex Baena were all on the scoresheet.

That they keep going without key men, including right-back Dani Carvajal and recently crowned world player of the year Rodri speaks volumes for their character as much as their talent.

Joining them on the sidelines for this one is goalkeeper Unai Simon, Fermín Lopez, Marcos Llorente, Oihan Sancet, and Yeremy Pino amongst others. Luis de la Fuente can welcome back the likes of Mikel Merino, Baena, and captain Morata.

Looking to stop them is a talented Danish side with plenty of Premier League talent.

Among them Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who should be joined by Morten Hjulmand in the middle of midfield, while it is likely Joachim Andersen, who has been in strong form for Fulham this season, will be introduced into the back three.

They may trail the leaders by three points, but know victory could see them overtake their opponents.

Before their narrow defeat to Spain, they emerged 2-0 winners in Serbia, as Albert Grønbæk and Yussuf Poulsen netted either side of halftime.

Last time out, they also fought back to draw with Switzerland with Gustav Isaksen and the classy Christian Eriksen grabbing the goals.

The Danes bowed out at Euro 2024 at the last 16 stage but were left reeling from a double injustice which deflated them in Dortmund.

That could inspire them on Friday night.

History

This will be the 18th meeting between these two countries and, as you would probably expect, Spain have been the superior side. They have 13 wins overall, losing just twice.

Yet games have been scarce in recent years with the reverse fixture last month the first since 2008.

Spain are currently on a five-game winning streak against their opponents and have won seven of the last eight dating back to 1993.

On that occasion, a World Cup qualifier, Flemming Povlsen scored the only goal of the contest in Copenhagen.

However, when they met again later that year, the score was reversed with the great Fernando Hierro on target as Spain qualified for the following summer’s World Cup at the expense of the Danes.

Their most high-profile meeting came in the semi-finals of Euro 84 when Soren Lerby and Maceda traded goals in a 1-1 draw before the Spanish prevailed 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

They also met at the last 16 stage in the 1986 World Cup when Denmark, after taking the lead via Jesper Olsen, encountered Emilio Butragueno in his pomp and he duly scored four in a 5-1 win.