Spain defender Marc Cucurella says his side are benefitting from being labelled as outsiders to win Euro 2024.
Luis de la Fuente’s side are a few days away from a semi-final showdown with France, with a place in the final up for grabs.
Cucurella has been an integral part of Spain’s run so far, most recently helping see off hosts Germany in the quarter-finals.
But things will step up another level again in Munich on Tuesday night, but the Chelsea full-back says he is ready for it.
“Within football, there has long been respect for Spain, how we play and the players we have, but maybe coming in [to Euro 2024] as outsiders helped us.
“We started with the confidence of having nothing to lose. Now that confidence has grown and we are in the key moment of the tournament.
🥁 Introducing your final four…
🇪🇸 Spain
🇫🇷 France
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏴 EnglandWho wins it? 🤔#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/vkQOd2Yb0x
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 6, 2024
“I knew we had a great team, which has been proven. We have fought so hard to be here and now we need one last big effort. Two more steps.”
Alongside the Germans, Spain have perhaps been one of the more entertaining teams to watch at Euro 2024.
They topped their group, beating Italy and Croatia along the way and have since knocked Georgia and Germany out.
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Many were baffled with Cucurella’s constant inclusion in the starting XI towards the start of the tournament, but he has since shut his doubters up and even went on to suggest his reputation has been boosted this summer thanks to his performances.
He added: “When you go abroad it’s difficult, people lose track [of you] a little.
“It’s normal, people watch Spanish football and the teams they have supported since they were young.
“The praise is all welcome. It does not matter if it’s arriving too soon or too late, it’s better if people are saying good things about you.
“There is a lot hard work in silence behind it which is now bearing fruit. I am happy to be here with the national team and now all that’s left is to take the final steps [to win the tournament].”
Should Spain beat France, they will face either England or the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.