Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has praised his players for their unity, resilience and remarkable talent after leading the country to its second FIFA World Cup title with a hard-fought victory over Argentina.
An emotional De la Fuente described the squad as a family that has grown together over the years, saying their commitment and shared vision were the driving forces behind the historic achievement.
The 65-year-old coach said it had been a privilege to guide the current generation of players, who have now added the 2026 World Cup crown to their UEFA Euro 2024 triumph.
Reflecting on the journey, De la Fuente said the team’s success was the reward for years of hard work, dedication and togetherness, adding that the players have become a source of pride for the entire nation.
He noted that Spain created enough chances to settle the World Cup final before Ferran Torres finally scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time, but credited Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez for keeping his side in the contest with a string of outstanding saves.
The coach also acknowledged the difficulty of the final, especially after Argentina were reduced to 10 men following Enzo Fernández’s dismissal in stoppage time of normal play.
Despite the numerical advantage, De la Fuente said World Cup finals are never easy, stressing that his players had to remain patient before eventually securing a memorable victory that crowned Spain as world champions once again.
