Denmark vs. Spain lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news and injuries: No Lamine Yamal for Euro 2024 winners

Spain are looking to continue their remarkable recent record of success and trophies under manager Luis de la Fuente. 

Having won the 2022/23 iteration of the UEFA Nations League, Spain followed that up by storming to Euro 2024 success and are in contention for the 2024/25 Nations League as well.

They now travel to Copenhagen on Friday night to take on Denmark, who are their closest challengers in League A Group 4. A draw would help Spain maintain their three-point lead at the top of the group, with a win enough to ensure top spot for La Roja. Either way, they are virtually guaranteed to reach the quarter-finals. 

The Sporting News previews the game, looks at the team news and injuries for both sides, as De la Fuente and his young squad chase yet more glory. 

MORE: UEFA Nations League fixtures, results, schedule and format for European international football competition

Denmark vs. Spain lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news

Denmark are without versatile wing-back Joakim Maehle, who is out injured for this one, with Rasmus Kristensen also unavailable. Manager Brian Riemer otherwise has a good array of options in his squad to pick from.

The Danes' experienced spine of Kasper Schmeichel, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Jannik Vestergaard all start against Spain. 

Denmark starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Schmeichel (GK) — Bah, Andersen, Vestergaard, Kristiansen — Hojbjerg, Norgaard, Hjulmand — Eriksen, Hojlund, Gronbaek

Denmark subs: Nelsson, Roerslev, Frendrup, Isaksen, Skov Olsen, Dolberg, Dorgu, Damsgaard, Hermansen, Wind, Poulsen, Jensen

Spain will obviously be without Rodri, the recent Ballon d'Or winner who is out with a longstanding ACL injury. Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal is also absent, as well as goalkeeper Unai Simon and midfield metronome Aleix Garcia, a would-be Rodri replacement. Dani Carvajal is another world-class star out for the season following knee surgery.

Arsenal's Mikel Merino starts in the centre of midfield alongside another player who has long been linked with the Gunners, Martin Zubimendi. Alvaro Morata was a slight doubt despite being named in the squad, as he's missed a couple of training sessions this week. He is among the substitutes.

Spain starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Raya (GK) — Porro, Vivian, Laporte, Cucurella — Zubimendi, Merino — Oyarzabal, Olmo, Baena — Perez

Spain subs: Grimaldo, Paredes, Morata, Fabian Ruiz, Williams, Mingueza, Remiro, Casado, Pino, Pedri, Samu Omorodion, Sanchez

Denmark vs. Spain live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this UEFA Nations League match across selected areas of the world's major regions: