Spain reach World Cup final as De la Fuente invokes 2010 title run
Luis de la Fuente said Spain had restored the spirit of their 2010 champions after a 2-0 semifinal win over France.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Spain moved within one win of a second World Cup title by beating France 2-0 in Tuesday’s semifinal, and manager Luis de la Fuente said the performance recalled the country’s 2010 champions. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that Spain contained a France side that had scored 16 goals before the match and was widely seen as one of the tournament’s strongest attacks.
France, led by Kylian Mbappe, did not put a shot on target until after the 80th minute, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The defeat ended France’s bid to reach a third straight World Cup final.
De la Fuente praises Spain’s collective strength
De la Fuente told reporters Spain had entered the match with confidence against a team he regarded as among the world’s best. “The message was that we were up against one of the best teams in the world, but that they were up against the best team in the world,” he said.
The Spain manager credited the squad’s discipline and attitude after the semifinal win. He said the players showed “commitment, solidarity and talent” and added that they made difficult work appear easy.
De la Fuente linked the current team to Spain’s 2010 World Cup winners, who lifted the country’s first men’s world title in South Africa under captain Iker Casillas. “I see a happy dressing room and a nation behind us. We’ve recaptured the spirit of 2010,” he said.
He also pointed to the behavior of squad members who did not feature in the match, saying their decision to remain behind and train afterward showed the team’s character. De la Fuente said Spain had been built around humility, generosity and a shared target rather than individual status.
“I believe the most important thing is knowing how to choose your travelling companions,” he said. “If you make the wrong choice of travelling companions, you could end up with a problem.”
Unbeaten run reaches Italy’s record
Spain’s run now stands at 37 matches without defeat, matching Italy’s record, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The streak follows Spain’s Euro 2024 title and has carried the team to the World Cup final 16 years after its first global triumph.
De la Fuente said he still sees room for progress. He described Spain’s rise as a process aimed at reaching the decisive stage of the tournament in peak condition.
Spain will face the winner of the other semifinal between England and Argentina. De la Fuente said he would prefer Argentina because of his close relationship with manager Lionel Scaloni, while also praising England and saying the matchup itself could have been a World Cup final.
The Spain coach said he does not view finals only as games to be won. He said they should also be enjoyed, adding that the next match could provide the final reward for Spain’s campaign.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.