Reaction to Spain's 1-0 defeat of Albania

DUESSELDORF, Germany - Following is reaction after Spain beat Albania 1-0 on Monday in their Euro 2024 Group B clash in Stuttgart, meaning Spain progress to the knockouts with three wins while Albania exit:

Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente: "We are all free to dream and we are the first to dream, but we have to keep our feet on the ground, this doesn't guarantee anything.

"Every game is really tight and what we've done is really difficult – winning all three games and keeping three clean sheets, it hasn't happened for a long time.

"We need to wait until Wednesday probably to know who we'll face (in the round of 16), but we'll be ready mentally to play them."

Albania's coach Sylvinho: "Ten out of ten for all of them. I am sorry about the result. They gave their best. We have to learn to play at such a level.

"We've been there for a year and a half, we've found very good players ... They said we would get thrashed. The players believed in the work. They left everything on the pitch. This is a team with very good transition. We competed with three very strong teams."

Spain's man of the match and goalscorer Ferran Torres: "I'm proud to represent my country, I'm going to make the most of the opportunities that the coach gives me, with goals, assists, defensive work ... The important thing is the victory.

"I've always had it clear, I want to continue making history with Spain. I'm not going to stop until I do. Before the match I had already talked about it with (Dani) Olmo, that he would give me those passes into space. I didn't think twice when it came to me.

"I don't care (who we face next). We're a great team, we're working hard and the coach has got us all excited."

Albanian player Armando Broja: "We have to keep our head up and we should feel proud. We knew all three teams are from a high level of football. In none of the games they destroyed us and we should feel proud of what we did."

Spain goalkeeper David Raya: "It was a very good game from the whole group. We knew it wasn't easy because of what they (Albania) were playing for. They created chances, they had to get the three points. It's a very sweet taste for three games won.

"We got the goal and we left them in trouble. But in the second half they took more risks. The game broke down and that's where they created the chances for us."

Albanian sports journalist Egi Duro: "In a tough test against one of the best teams at the tournament, the Red and Blacks gave everything and played particularly well after the break, fashioning several chances. These young, gifted players showed how much they can achieve for their country in the future."

UEFA's Technical Observer Panel on Torres being best player: "He was dangerous throughout, offering an outlet between the lines when Spain were in possession and displaying a high work rate out of possession. One of Spain's most dangerous attackers and, ultimately, the match winner."

Spain's Mikel Merino: "We're talking about a team (Albania) that gave Croatia and Italy a tough time. We were warned that they were going to be a very tough team. They can hurt you if you don't master the transitions. They made us run. But this team also knows how to suffer. When we had to resist, we did.

"There are no preferences (about the last-16 rivals). All the opponents here are going to be very tough. If you want to be the best, you have to play against the best."

Albania's Ylber Ramadani: "We gave our best. This group was the hardest, giants who have fought for the World Cup. But it wasn't enough. We have done the maximum. Even the coach said that we played a good tournament. But it wasn't enough." REUTERS