Spain boss Luis Enrique was rejoicing in victory after Alvaro Morata’s late winner sent them into the UEFA Nations League finals with a 1-0 win away to Portugal on Tuesday.
Los Che needed victory against their Iberian neighbours in Braga and waited until the 88th minute with Nico Williams setting up Morata for his decisive strike.
The goal comes following frustration from Spanish fans at the side’s performance in the weekend’s 2-1 home loss to Switzerland, which creates concerns about their 2022 World Cup prospects.
“It is a wonderful sport in which victory is the best antidote for any depression or state of sadness,” Luis Enrique told reporters.
“Portugal are a top team. In the first half, I insisted a lot, perhaps too much, on having the ball, and we did. It is clear that we prefer to make the passes in the opposing half.
“The first half is necessary to show that the ball is ours; in the second half, I had the feeling that the goal was going to come.
“We repeat reaching the final four, and it is a great joy.”
Luis Enrique conceded he would have a tough time finalizing his World Cup squad, with a group of 26 to be announced by November 14.
“Now there could be up to 26 on the bench, but it is something that could have repercussions for the health of the group,” he said.
“It could be a squad of 26 or 24. I havent decided. I need to see Ansu Fati playing at Barca, (Aymeric) Laporte is already recovered and is training with his team and Mikel Oyarzabal I prefer not to say anything. Lets see how he recovers.
“But it is true that it will be a difficult squad and not everyone that I would like will be in it.”
Elsewhere, Switzerland defeated Czech Republic 2-1 in St Gallen, making it three straight wins and condemning the visitors to relegation from League A.
In League B, Scotland clinched promotion with a 0-0 away to Ukraine in Krakow, while Erling Haaland’s Norway missed out on promotion after a 2-0 home loss to Serbia who went up.
