Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge



This is not, of course, an entirely new argument. The criticism of them not having that type of finisher, pure scorer, in the lineup has been there for several years.

It is underlined by the fact that there was surprise, or even disappointment, in some quarters when neither Iago Aspas nor Borja Iglesias were in the 26-man squad named by Luis Enrique.

But more than the fact they do not turn to that type of player on a regular basis is the fact they have not been producing them.

Aspas, a Celta Vigo legend, is now aged 35. Iglesias is a mere 29, but could be most generously described as a serviceable forward in goalscoring terms up until the last 18 months or so.

Beyond them in LaLiga this season, Joselu (32) and Alvaro Morata (30, still the squad’s go-to No9) and Sergio Leon (33) are the highest-scoring striker Spaniards. There’s also Alex Baena, Brais Mendez and Inaki Williams around a similar tally of goalscoring, but the first two are not centre-forwards and the latter declared for Ghana.

Young Spanish strikers are not, right now, making their mark. Instead, the youthful call-ups to the squad were Ansu Fati, a wide forward, Yeremy Pino, an all-round second-line attacker and Nico Williams, a winger.

They are all immensely talented. Fati, perhaps, could be seen as the goal guarantee in future, but he remains hugely inexperienced and was struggling with injury for a year. He cannot be the only one they are waiting for as a game-decider.

And boy, are they needed. “Majority of possession” doesn’t begin to describe what they had against Morocco, what they had against Japan. What they have had in so many other matches.

But the end product, too oten, isn’t there when it’s needed most and when it will make the biggest difference.

The major success their playing style gave them has given Spain another generation of Xavis, of Alonsos, even of David Silvas and Pedros, to an extent.

But the lack of a David Villa or Fernando Torres remains glaring.

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Morata is the closest they have and for all his traits, he is nowhere near the finisher they were.

It has again cost Spain dearly, and no immediate end to that issue appears in sight.

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