Ferran's tremendous streak, another saving blow from Olmo and Raya's unexpected premiere: "It's a day that will mark my life"

That night in Montjuïc, on February 18, 2004,

defended, as he would on 167 occasions, the goal of the Spanish team led by

.

18 years later, eight months after the start of the Qatar World Cup,

, the surprise on Luis Enrique's list, appeared under the goalposts of the stadium that he so often looked askance at when trying to make a name for himself at Cornellà.

A few meters separate both enclosures.

Last night, the home of Espanyol looked resplendent, with 35,444 throats accompanying the return of the national team to Catalonia, with the war cry: "I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!".

There was Raya, who experienced her international debut.

The night was not designed for him.

But

, who already saw his debut aborted in June, due to that positive for Covid from Busquets, on the eve of the European Championship, had to leave the concentration for personal reasons.

His absence will be covered by

, starter in the sub'21.

So, David adjusted his gloves like any other afternoon with modest Brentford, where he has become the goalkeeper who makes the most passes in the Premier, and started his unexpected adventure with Spain at the age of 26.

He left for England a decade ago, at the age of 16, after being recruited by the Blackburn academy.

Until this season he has not been able to step on the top flight of English football for the first time.

himself speechless

with his footwork.

The same one who seduced Luis Enrique.

13 goals in 23 matches

That is why the Asturian coach applauded loudly when Raya touched his first ball, as if he were just another centre-back.

usually does

and that he observed how his new partner developed.

He hardly needed to dust off his gloves, but with his feet he managed to get Spain to avoid that high pressure from Albania that they had studied from Las Rozas.

A night that did not blur

's carom goal .

"It is a day that will mark my life and my entire career, a dream come true", admitted the goalkeeper.

The icing on the cake was put by

, who continues to be lethal with the national team shirt.

He has 13 goals in 23 games, just a year and a half after his debut.

His goals are bullets for Luis Enrique.

Just like the zaps of Olmo who, as in Georgia, raised a lit stand.

"I would have been very annoyed not to win. I don't remember a game in which the fans were so decisive. It's impossible for us to take 18 years to come back here, it would be a big mistake," the national coach said goodbye.

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