Spain reigns in remarkable year of soccer achievement
From the international stage, to club and player honors, the European nation excelled on and off the field
From the Champions League to the Olympics, via a commanding Euro 2024, Spain was the truly dominant force in club and international soccer this year, and put the individual cherry on the cake with Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or.
A few weeks after Real Madrid claimed a record-extending 15th Champions League title by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley in June, an imperious Spain steamrollered all before it to triumph in the European Championship.
Even during the magnificent years when Spain dominated international soccer, winning the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup, it did not quite manage a similar level of success on the club scene, although it came close with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona winning the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.
