Spain 1-0 Denmark: Zubimendi's late winner takes hosts top of Nations League group

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.

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.

¡¡???????? ??? ??????? ?? ?????????!! Los tres puntos se quedan en casa | 1-0 | 97’#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/8XjK5toE6r

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 12, 2024

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.