Luis de la Fuente could barely contain his pride on Tuesday, calling his Spain squad the best in the world after a 2-0 semi-final win over France sent them through to Sunday’s World Cup final.
It was not the first time de la Fuente had made that claim about his team throughout the tournament, but this result gave the words real weight. Spain outclassed a French side many had tipped as one of the strongest in recent World Cup history, delivering another tactically sharp performance from a coach who has now built a habit of getting the better of Les Bleus.
This win extended a remarkable run for de la Fuente against France specifically, marking his third straight victory over them in competitive fixtures. He also guided Spain to the European Championship title in 2024, cementing his reputation as one of the game’s most effective tacticians.
Reflecting on the win, de la Fuente traced Spain’s success back to a philosophy the team committed to nearly four years ago. He said the group had stayed true to that vision from the start, and Tuesday’s result was proof it had paid off.
He did not shy away from praising France either, acknowledging they were among the most formidable national teams around. But he was quick to draw a distinction, suggesting that while France may be one of the best, Spain proved they were operating on another level entirely.
With the win, de la Fuente is now preparing his squad for a moment Spanish football has not experienced in over a decade, a place in the World Cup final, their first appearance there since lifting the trophy in 2010.
The coach saved some of his warmest words for the players themselves, praising their consistency, their unity, and their willingness to fight for one another throughout the tournament. He said their talent was matched by their character, and credited them for making difficult moments look effortless on the field.
For a team that has now dismantled France three times running and claimed a major title along the way, Tuesday’s performance felt less like an upset and more like a continuation of a project years in the making. De la Fuente’s comments suggested a coach fully aware of what his group has built, and one who believes the ultimate reward, a World Cup title, is now within reach as Spain prepares for Sunday’s final.
