De la Fuente bullish ahead of France showdown
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is in no doubt that his side can overcome tournament favorites France in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final in Dallas. Speaking after Spain’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium, De la Fuente radiated confidence, stating he has “very high expectations” for the clash with Didier Deschamps’ team.
“We are both teams that would be considered a candidate for the final,” De la Fuente said. “France has exceptional potential, and so do we. We have very high expectations for the next game. We are aware of the great potential the opponent in front of us has, but are also aware that the only team that has beaten them in the last two semi-finals they’ve played has been us.”
Spain progressed thanks to goals from Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino, both midfielders who stepped up when called upon. De la Fuente praised the collective effort and highlighted the depth at his disposal.
Euro 2024 repeat on the cards?
Spain will take heart from their 2-1 win over France at the same stage of Euro 2024, a victory that propelled them to ultimate glory. That experience, combined with a settled squad, gives them a psychological edge. France, however, have been ruthlessly efficient in reaching a third consecutive World Cup semi-final, dismantling Morocco in the quarter-finals with a display of controlled dominance.
Kylian Mbappé, who has shouldered the leadership role for Les Bleus, will be the danger man, but Spain’s own stars are ready to shine. De la Fuente noted the tactical flexibility required: “I think the game is very open. It will require fresh, energetic players. It will require us to be the best version, it will require us to improve, but since we are there, we are going to give everything.”
Squad depth and tactical wrinkles
De la Fuente’s decision to start Ruiz ahead of Pedri against Belgium raised eyebrows, but the Paris Saint-Germain man responded with his first-ever World Cup goal. Pedri later came off the bench, underlining Spain’s enviable midfield options. Merino repeated his super-sub heroics from the Portugal game, reinforcing the manager’s faith in his whole squad.
“Everybody on the pitch has a task and they do it very well,” De la Fuente said. “Pedri is a class player, one of the best in the world if not the best, but Fabian is also one of the best players in the world if not the best. It is unfair not to value those players who unfortunately – like Mikel Merino, like Martín Zubimendi, like Gavi, other players who haven’t gotten to play – they are as good as the ones who are playing.”
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, whose golden generation bowed out, also hailed Spain’s continuity and depth: “Their squad doesn’t just come down to a couple of players. It’s the team as a whole. It’s practically the same as their team at the Euros. That’s very important for a national team, to have continuity with players who play together for a long time and write history.”
Records and momentum
Spain enter the semi-final riding a wave of momentum. Unai Simón saw his record-setting World Cup shutout streak end at 650 minutes — spanning from 2022 — but his solidity remains crucial. De la Fuente himself is unbeaten in 13 games across the World Cup and European Championships, a testament to Spain’s tournament pedigree.
However, areas for improvement were evident against Belgium: Lamine Yamal found space but lacked cutting edge in the final third, while Mikel Oyarzabal struggled to hold up play. Days of preparation will be needed to fine-tune the attack.
Key Takeaways
- Luis de la Fuente oozes confidence, citing Spain's record of beating France in the last two major tournament semi-finals.
- Spain's midfield depth — with Ruiz, Merino, Pedri, and others — gives them multiple tactical options.
- France present a formidable challenge, reaching a third straight World Cup semi-final and boasting Kylian Mbappé's leadership.
- Spain's unbeaten run in major tournaments under De la Fuente stands at 13 games, providing a psychological boost.
- Set-piece and transitional play could decide a tight contest in Dallas.
Quick Facts
Fixture: Spain vs France, World Cup 2026 semi-final
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (kick-off TBC)
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
How to watch: Broadcasting details are yet to be confirmed by FIFA. Check local listings closer to kick-off.
Spain's Euro 2024 semi-final result vs France: Won 2-1
De la Fuente's unbeaten run: 13 games (World Cup + Euros)