Luis Enrique hailed Barcelona teenager Gavi as Spain's "future and present" after the midfielder became the national team's youngest ever player in Wednesday's Nations League win over Italy.
At 17 years and 62 days old, Gavi became Spain's youngest cap in 85 years when he to took the San Siro field for the 2-1 victory which put Spain in Sunday's final, ending the Azzurri's world record 37-match unbeaten run.
His national team coach is convinced not only that he has a long future with La Roja, but that he can slot in right now.
"He's a player who can play between the lines, doesn't lose ball, has good technique, and is physical," Luis Enrique told reporters.
"We knew what he would bring; personality, willingness to play, courage. Nothing is too much for him. He is a very complete player.
"He can be the future of this team, but he can also be its present too because he has the personality to play at this level."
Gavi broke the record held by Angel Zubieta Redondo, who donned the Spain jersey for the first time in a 1936 friendly against Czechoslovakia age 17 years and 284 days old.
He was named in the starting line-up for the match despite only making five La Liga appearances for Barca.
Match-winner Ferran Torres also praised the young tyro and predicted a bright future.
"He's young, and off the pitch he's quiet, almost timid and shy," said Torres, who scored both of Spain's goals.
"But we saw on the pitch what kind of player he can be."
Italy v Spain ratings
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ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6. Made an uncharacteristic error just after Spain broke the deadlock, juggling Alonso’s long range shot onto the woodwork and needing Bonucci’s clearance to keep it out. Couldn’t do much about either goals. Getty Images -
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6. Beat Azpilicueta to get a low header to threaten Simon’s near post. Getty Images -
Leonardo Bonucci – 3 A short-lived display by the Juve man. Should have done a lot better to stop Oyarzabal’s cross. Made a vital clearance as his goalkeeper struggled to stop Alonso’s shot but saw a second yellow just before half time. Should have known better with a yellow card early on. Getty Images -
Alessandro Bastoni – 5. Chosen to start instead of Chiellini, and Roberto Mancinci might have been regretting that as the centre-back was often caught out of position. Not helped with Bonucci’s sending off. Getty Images -
Emerson – 6. A few positive glimpses early on but caught ball watching and lost his man as Torres doubled Spain’s lead. Getty Images -
Nicolo Barella – 5. Another player to struggle against Spain’s midfield with a measly 15 passes all game. Getty Images -
Jorginho – 6. Quiet first half but endured quite the feisty restart, colliding with Torres and Gavi in a physical display in the middle as he took things into his own hands and looked to use his experience to inspire his side. Subbed off soon after. Getty Images -
Marco Verratti – 5. An anonymous player in midfield for Italy throughout the second half and struggled to deal with Spain’s trio. Reuters -
Federico Chiesa – 7. The in-form striker could have got his team ahead within five minutes with an early shot to Simon’s right side. Produced a storming run with minutes left to beaten Spain’s defence and lay the ball on a plate for Pellegrini. Getty Images -
Federico Bernardeschi – 6. With no Ciro Immobile, Bernardeschi started as a false nine and forced Simon low with an effort. Sacrificed at half-time as Italy looked to salvage their unbeaten run. Getty Images -
Lorenzo Insigne – 6. Could have celebrated his 50th cap for his country with a goal but was unable to convert in Italy’s best chance in the first half when he was left unmarked. Getty Images -
SUB: Giorgio Chiellini (Bernardeschi, 45’) – 6. Came on at half-time following Bonucci’s second yellow as Italy looked for experience to find a way back in. Looked like a damage limitation option for most of the second half but saw Chiesa run onto his clearance and spark the break to give Italy some hope. Getty Images -
SUB: Moise Kean (Insigne, 58’) – 5. A last minute call-up as Mancini struggled to name a striker in his team but struggled to see much of the ball. Getty Images -
SUB: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Jorginho, 64’) – 6. Madeno mistake when faced one-on-one with Unai Simon. Getty Images -
SUB: Davide Calabria (Barella, 72’) – N/R. A late addition to Mancini’s squad and replaced a quiet Barella, but a matter of coming on too late. Getty Images -
SPAIN RATINGS: Unai Simon – 6. Did well when he faced both Chiesa’s and Bernardeschi’s low shots. Faced with a one-on-one situation with Chiesa but was always at a disadvantage as he slotted it to Pellegrini. Getty Images -
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7. The experience right-back looked surprised as Di Lorenzo ran in front and got his low header on target just before the 30-minute mark, but it was largely a comfortable display for the Chelsea defender. Booked. Getty Images -
Aymeric Laporte – 7. His international career with Spain is still in the early stages after his switch for the summer but Laporte looked to be a strong addition when needed. EPA -
Pau Torres – 5. Didn’t have much to do as Spain dominated large parts of the game but made a feeble attempt at stopping Chiesa’s counter attack for the goal. EPA -
Marcos Alonso – 8. Played some lovely balls for Sarabia to run onto in the early stages and was no surprise to see the goal come from him and Oyarzabal. Could have made it 2-0 just seconds later, hitting the woodwork when Donnarumma was unable to stop it. Getty Images -
Koke – 7. All over the pitch as Spain’s midfield trio contrasted to their opposition and a large part in why so many attacks came from the left wing. Gave plenty of support to Alonso to attack. Getty Images -
Sergio Busquets – 7. Unlike his counterpart, the 33-year-old put in a captain’s display to cement a strong midfield for his country. AFP -
Gavi – 7. A surprise start for the young midfielder as he became Spain’s youngest debutant at just 17. He was seemingly nervous in the first few minutes, losing the ball for Chiesa’s shot but did well to force Veratti wide and read Insigne’s free-kick to stop a training ground move coming to fruition. Proved to be a player Italy struggled to keep quiet. Getty Images -
Pablo Sarabia – 7. With Luis Enrique unable to name Gerard Moreno and Alvaro Morata in his squad, Sarabia came in to support a makeshift front line and linked up well in the opening stages with Alonso. Did well in the build up of Spain’s second to hold up and shield the ball from Bastoni and lay it out for Oyarzabal. Booked. Getty Images -
Ferran Torres – 8. Continued to add to his international tally of goals for Spain as he karate-kicked Oyarzabal’s ball into the net. Made no mistake doubling his country’s lead on the half-time whistle. Subbed minutes after the restart for a foot injury. Getty Images -
Mikel Oyarzabal – 8. Part of a partnership made in heaven as twice he delivered the perfect crosses for Torres. Beat Bonucci for the first and a looping ball for the second. Couldn’t get his header on target for what would have been a deserved goal. Booked. AP Photo -
SUB: Yeremi Pino (Torres 49’) – 6 Played in Oyarzabal minutes after coming into the game. Produced a lovely ball for Alonso, which forced an excellent save by Donnarumma. Inexperience could be blamed as he headed Chiellini’s clearance to Pau Torres whose poor effort to clear sparked Italy’s goal. Booked. AFP -
SUB: Bryan Gil (Sarabia 75’) – N/R. A late addition to the matchday squad following Marcos Llorente’s injury. Getty Images -
SUB: Sergi Roberto (Gavi, 83’) – N/R. Brought on as Spain looked to defend their lead following Italy’s goal. AFP -
SUB: Mikel Merino (Koke 75’) – N/R. Couldn’t make the desired impact as Spain looked to see out the game. AFP
Torres expects to be available for Sunday’s final after limping off injured after his first-half brace in Milan.
Luis Enrique said Torres’ withdrawal early in the second period was a precautionary measure.
And the in-form 21-year-old – who now has 12 international goals in 21 outings following two assists from Mikel Oyarzabal – already has his sights set on helping his country lift silverware.
“We knew it was a special match, we fell in the semi-finals of the European Championship and what better way to beat them at home in another semi-final,” said Torres, according to Marca.
“I am happy for the team. I believe that perseverance and training make the results arrive.
“I had a few minor annoyances [with injury] but I’m already thinking about the final.”
Luis Enrique added: “I’m not sure how Ferran will be.
“He had a knock in the first half and another in the second half so we decided to take no risks.”
