Spain head coach De La Fuente hailed his team after they registered a 1-0 win against Albania at the Arena Düsseldorf on Monday. This was the third consecutive win for Spain as they topped Group B. 

Earlier, Spain had beaten Croatia by 3-0 and Italy by 1-0 as they had come up with a dominating display in both these games. 

Spain has also maintained a clean sheet in these three matches and it is the first time when they have ever won all three group games without conceding at a major tournament.

“Dreaming is free and we’re the first to dream, but while keeping our feet on the ground,” Spain coach De la Fuente said in a post-game news conference.

“Every game is tough and it has a lot of merit what we did today and what we have done in the tournament — winning three games with clean sheets, which is the first ever time in a major tournament [for Spain].”

The gaffer admitted that his team can still improve for the round of 16 and come up with an even better show.

“We have had a very good group phase,” he added. “The performances against Croatia and Italy were at a very high level. The attacking statistics — I don’t know how many chances we created against Italy — but also the defensive statistics have been good as well.

“But, of course, we can still improve. We don’t conform. We have a wonderful generation of players who want to improve and are so ambitious.

“We have a phrase we say in the dressing room after every game: first, we thank everyone for their work, but then we say everything can be improved upon tomorrow. I can improve — I’m the first who can improve — and that applies to all the players and the technical staff.”

Spain will be next in action on Sunday but their opponent is yet to be confirmed.