Spain are Dominating Football at All Levels Right Now

It has become routine that whenever a Spanish team reaches the business stages of football tournaments, they mostly come out on top – be it the European Championships, World Cups, UEFA Cup/Europa League or the Champions League, as a matter of fact, in the past 27 men’s finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 resulted in wins for Spain. Meanwhile, the ladies’ game for Spain has also had meaningful success in the last decade, churning in its big successes in the high-pressure games.

Their victory over England in last year’s Women’s World Cup final was just after three appearances at the tournament, having shown up as debutants in 2015. Then, their Nations League came earlier this year, and Barcelona was carting away the last two Women’s Champions League titles.

These successes for both the men’s and women’s teams followed lifting numerous titles at youth level over the last decade, with the players from those teams taking that winning mentality into senior football.

This list of achievements is imposing and may already send chills down rival countries’ spines. But how did Spain rise back to this dominant position right before everyone’s eyes? Here is a footballing country that normalizes the feeling of winning at all levels. Their title victory at this summer’s European Championship was their first since 2012, after a trophy drought period in the years between the wins.

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Continuity of coaches

Continuity and familiarization are significant determinants of Spain’s recent dominance in football. Luis de la Fuente was the man who guided the men’s team to Euro 2024 success this summer, and the 63-year-old has been in charge of the national team since 2022, but before this, he already managed several of his team with the Under-19s, Under-21s and Under-23s.

“De la Fuente knew most of these players from the academies, and they are growing as a team,” former Spanish midfielder Juan Mata told BBC Sport.

“This is not only a team for the present, but also a team for the future.”

The victory in Germany was his third European Championship win with his country – having already won the Under-19s and Under-21s. On the female’s side Jorge Vilda, who managed Spain to victory at the Women’s World Cup last year before he was sacked amid the fallout from Luis Rubiales scandal, had been at the helm of managing the national team manager for eight years. He had previously won titles as manager of the Under-17 and Under-19 national sides, respectively.

Vilda was replaced by his former assistant Montse Tome, who became Spain’s first female head coach, and she led the team to victory in the Nations League at their debut, beating France in February.

Spain’s model of promoting coaches from Under-17 and Under-19 levels to the senior teams has brought a consistent tactical approach and philosophy within the Spanish national teams, and this seamless transition allows players to develop under familiar leadership, encouraging a coherent and unified playing style from youth to senior levels.

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Their definitive Style of Play

The last time the men’s team enjoyed a period of dominance was in the late 2000s and early 2010s. They were renowned for their short passing and intricate style of play known as ‘Tiki-taka’. Though it is now an era in the past, Spanish football has not entirely abandoned its principles; instead, it has evolved them.

Possession is still integral to their game, but it used to be lighter. Take, for example, their 3-0 win over Croatia in Euro 2024. They had less possession than their opponent. They now have technique and positioning, which both women and youth football focus on.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said following Spain’s win over England at Euro 2024, “What’s great about this Spain team, they know their roles and how to fit in,”

“With England, we sometimes get our best players on the pitch. This Spanish side just managed to find a way to pick the players who will impact this system.”

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Former player Maria Garrido, who is now a journalist, in an interview with BBC Sport, said,

“The changes in women’s football in Spain have been especially significant. Ten years ago, when I played for FC Barcelona, there was no La Masia [the famed academy at Barcelona] for girls.

We covered our transport costs, our parents brought us to training, and we earned no money.

“But in the last five years, the situation has improved dramatically. A substantial push has been made to promote women’s football, including creating more youth categories, better facilities and conditions, and a dedicated football academy for girls.

This transformation has revolutionized the sport and elevated the respect for women’s football in Spain.”

20-year-old Salma Paralluelo was part of the World Cup-winning team and is already a two-time Women’s Champions League winner with Barcelona. Remember that she won the Under-20 and Under-17 World Cup and the Under-17 Women’s European Championship at the youth level.

Spain’s process of triumph or its significant glory episodes is more likened to the common saying that “Rome was not built in a day”. It is a well-planned pathway to success, with every detail receiving significant attention. Every club in Spain has an excellent young academy system, making it a center for youth academies. Spain needs more financial resources than England does. Hence, major league teams need help to afford to pay top players there. Spanish players make up most of the clubs’ rosters, which benefits both the clubs and the national team.

It is a process of creating a unified youth set-up for all the clubs with a common aim of developing players from their own country.

For all the good that has happened with Spanish football in recent years, the motive here is that players and coaches familiarize themselves with a system that has a long-term existence and works through all levels.

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