Martin Zubimendi struck in the 79th minute as Spain edged Denmark 1-0 in Murcia to leapfrog their opponents to the top of their Nations League group.
Match Report
The Danes kept the European champions at a distance for the majority of the game, but Zubimendi's late volley slipped through the gloves of Kasper Schmeichel, to give the La Roja their second win, and a one-point at the top of League A Group 4.
Denmark began the game on the front foot at the Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia as Kasper Dolberg latched onto Christian Eriksen's pass to test Spain goalkeeper David Raya in the third minute.
Spain captain Alvaro Morata's shot across the goal from an Alejandro Grimaldo cross sailed inches wide of the post in the 21st minute before Lamine Yamal failed to test Schmeichel after beating Rasmus Kristensen for pace and getting behind their defence on the stroke of half-time.
La Roja made a much brighter start to the second half, though they had to wait until the 68th minute to force a big save out of Schmeichel as he denied Morata from close range.
The turning point came with 11 minutes left on the clock, as Victor Nelsson's headed clearance only reached as far as Zubimendi, who struck a first-time volley from the edge of the box that beat Schmeichel to nestle in the back of the net.
Data Debrief: La Roja extend unbeaten streak
Luis de la Fuente's Spain are now unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions with 11 wins and two draws. They have not suffered a defeat since a 1-0 loss to Colombia in a friendly in March.
The hosts ended their third match in the group with an expected goals (xG) of 1.55, while their 25 shots equal their highest tally in a Nations League game (25 against Ukraine in September 2020 under Luis Enrique).
Lars Knudsen's Denmark, meanwhile, were completely outplayed in the second period, when they did not attempt a single shot. They ended the game with an xG of 0.1 and just three shots altogether in 90 minutes – the lowest by a team in a 2024-25 Nations League fixture.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' Morata shows Spain's Delaunay Cup before the game
2' Highlight from Spain vs Denmark
4' Raya turns Dolberg's shot behind at his near post! Denmark go close first
8' Schmeichel stoops to hold the dipping shot of Grimaldo from distance
20' Zubimendi sends a shot wide from a tricky angle inside the box on the right
21' Morata has a shot in the box just wide
22' Yamal curls a shot towards the far post and Schmeichel makes a great save
32' Raya's anticipation of Eriksen's cross and bravery in intercepting it is great
45' Highlight from Spain vs Denmark
46' Yamal breaks clear inside the box and shots but misses the target
50' Highlight from Spain vs Denmark
52' Fabián Ruiz has a shot but misses the target
62' Schmeichel comes out quickly to make a big full-body block to deny Morata
66' Highlight from Spain vs Denmark
68' Morata again misses a great chance in the box
72' Yamal's low shot from a central position outside the box held by Schmeichel
79' Zubimendi helps hosts finally find the breakthrough! Spain 1-0 Denmark
79' Sub! Morata makes way for Joselu
Line-ups
Spain XI: Morata, Laporte, Alejandro Grimaldo, David Raya, Fabian Ruiz, Oyarzabal, Martín Zubimendi, Dani Vivian, Pedro Porro, Pedri, Lamine Yamal
Subs: Joselu, Álex Remiro, A.García, Merino, Marc Cucurella, P. Torres, Robert Sánchez, Sergio Gómez, Álex Baena, Óscar Mingueza, Bryan Zaragoza, Pau Cubarsí
Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Eriksen, Vestergaard, Hojbjerg, K. Dolberg, Rasmus Kristensen, Victor Nelsson, Alexander Bah, Morten Hjulmand, Victor Kristiansen, Albert Grønbaek
Subs: Poulsen, Ronnow, Asger Sörensen, Jens Stage, Joakim Maehle, Olsen, Jonas Wind, Gustav Isaksen, Mads Hermansen, Mads Bidstrup, Rasmus Højlund, Patrick Dorgu