Spain’s national football team is preparing for a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final clash against France, a match that coach Luis de la Fuente described as “a final before the final.” Spain secured their spot in the last four after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday, courtesy of an 88th-minute strike by substitute Mikel Merino.
De la Fuente emphasized his team’s confidence in facing the tournament favourites, stating that Spain is “capable of beating any team,” including France and star forward Kylian Mbappe. The Spanish coach highlighted his team’s previous successes against France in critical matches, citing victories in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and the 2005 Nations League semi-finals, underscoring a competitive edge against the French side.
“The match will be more open than ever,” de la Fuente said, noting the contrasting playing styles of Spain and France. He stressed the importance of raising the team’s performance to meet the challenge ahead while maintaining respect for their opponent’s current form.
The quarter-final win featured notable tactical decisions by de la Fuente, including the unexpected start of Fabian Ruiz, who opened the scoring, while Merino was introduced late and delivered the match-winning goal after capitalizing on a mistake by Belgian substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Merino’s impact as a substitute has become a recurring theme under de la Fuente’s management, having previously scored decisive goals in knockout stages at the Euro 2024 and the World Cup round of 16.
When questioned about Merino’s limited starting appearances despite his clutch performances, de la Fuente acknowledged the difficulty in selection. “Only 11 can play, and they understand the role they have to play at any given moment,” he said, praising the squad’s professionalism and unity.
De la Fuente underscored that Spain’s success is rooted in collective responsibility rather than individual glory. He noted the strong team spirit and respect among players, which he considers a critical component of their advancement to the semifinals. According to the coach, this sense of shared purpose and mutual respect enables the team to perform cohesively, regardless of who features in the starting lineup.
As Spain turns full attention to their semi-final meeting with France, de la Fuente remains hopeful and focused on continuing their strong World Cup campaign.