Cesc Fabregas' pass. Andres Iniesta's goal. 116th minute. It is a moment etched in the minds and hearts of Spanish football fans worldwide, for this was the day that La Roja pipped a formidable Netherlands team to the ultimate trophy in world football. Fast forward to 12 years later, and a completely new-look side will represent the nation at the FIFA World Cup, with head coach Luis Enrique naming a squad which has the youngest average age in the whole tournament.
All eyes will be on these youngsters, especially the ones coming in from a topsy-turvy season with Barcelona. Some of the players named by Enrique have been touted as some of the best young players in European football.
Ahead of a complete analysis of their team, we take a look at their fixtures in Group E, which many have arguably named as the group of death.
Fixtures
November 23: Spain vs Costa Rica
November 27: Spain vs Germany
December 27: Spain vs Japan
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez, David Raya.
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Cesar Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Hugo Guillamon, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Jose Gaya.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Marcos Llorente, Pedri, Koke.
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Yeremi Pino, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Pablo Sarabia, Dani Olmo, Ansu Fati.
Experience key to Spain
Although a majority of youngsters will represent Spain at the marquee event, there are certain players who have been given a chance to prove themselves as mentors in the team, none more so than Sergio Busquets. The only player in the squad who was a part of Spain's 2010 triumph, he will no doubt make up the leadership group alongside Dani Carvajal, his Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, and Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta.
The notable omission of Thiago Alcantara and Sergio Ramos has been met with both awe and criticism since the duo have been staples of the team in the last two World Cups. But given Spain's poor 2014 and 2018 tournament results, the approach taken by Enrique is more than understandable.
Given that Spain have reverted to their preferred possession-based tactic, Manchester City's Rodri and Atletico Madrid's midfield couplet of Koke and Marcos Llorente will no doubt be crucial in carrying out Enrique's plans.
Ample pressure on Spain's youth brigade
Gavi, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, and Hugo Guillamon are just some of the young players in Spain's 26-man squad. All of them ply their trade in La Liga, with a majority of them playing for Barcelona, namely Ferran, Fati, Gavi, Pedri, and Eric Garcia.
At such a big stage, the pressure of performing for the country is immense and the team's performance will fall on the shoulders of these players. Especially the duo of Pedri and Gavi, who were the last two recipients of the coveted Kopa Trophy (Golden Boy award).
Lack of attackers might haunt them again
Spain have yet again gone to the World Cup with one out-and-out striker in Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata. Despite being not-so-liked by the fans, Morata has been a staple in front for Spain, and with good reason. He has scored 27 goals in 57 appearances, but might not be as good a penalty kicker as Gerard Moreno, who is injured.
But he will be flanked by a plethora of youngsters, all of whom will be raring to prove themselves if given a chance. All eyes will especially be on Nico Williams, who is the smaller brother of Inaki Williams. The two Williams brothers play for Athletic Bilbao, but the elder Williams brother has chosen to play for Ghana.
This young side reached the semis of the Euro 2020, where they lost on penalties to Italy. This side have also performed well in the UEFA Nations League, reaching the semifinals of the 2023 edition for a second consecutive time.
