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Luis de la Fuente hailed Spain’s “magnificent” display after their victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, crediting collective discipline as the foundation of their success. The Spanish coach also revealed the tactical strategy that neutralised Lionel Messi’s influence, commending his players’ determination for helping the nation capture football’s most coveted trophy.

Spain deliver a complete team performance

De la Fuente celebrated Spain’s World Cup glory following their hard-fought 1-0 win against Argentina in the 2026 final, describing the achievement as the culmination of steady growth and teamwork throughout the competition.

The La Roja chief expressed that his side fully deserved their triumph after producing the more complete performance on the day. Although he admitted that they would have preferred to secure the result earlier, he emphasised that contests of such scale are never simple and lauded his players for prevailing through hard work and sacrifice.

A crucial tactical goal was to restrict Messi’s effectiveness. Spain managed to keep the Argentine captain away from threatening positions for most of the match, thereby minimising the Inter Miami forward’s impact.

De la Fuente explains Spain’s winning formula

Reflecting on Spain’s campaign after the final, De la Fuente highlighted his squad’s consistent performances and tactical discipline throughout the tournament. He also elaborated on how Spain carried out their plan to contain Messi’s influence.

“We had a fantastic World Cup and learned something from every match. We were the better side in the final, it’s a shame we couldn’t finish it sooner, but games like these are never easy,” De la Fuente told Rai Sport. “Winning through sacrifice is always the sweetest reward.”

Speaking about Spain’s approach to handling Messi, he added: “We managed to keep him at bay through ball possession. We executed it superbly; the team’s effort was magnificent.”

Collective strength remains Spain’s greatest weapon

Throughout Spain’s victorious campaign, De la Fuente placed strong emphasis on teamwork rather than individual stardom. He built a balanced side where each player understood their specific role, forming a cohesive unit capable of challenging the world’s elite. The Spain coach also praised his players for upholding the high standards needed to reach the pinnacle of international football.

“I have extraordinary players, truly brilliant — the best in the world. They make everything look simple, and above all, they always give their absolute best,” he said. “We had the finest team, not just a great national side. The focus and commitment were exceptional, and I am immensely proud of my players.”

Spain determined to build on their success

Spain’s World Cup triumph represents another landmark achievement under De la Fuente and highlights the steady progress made during his tenure. After previously lifting the Euro 2024 title, La Roja now aim to continue their dominance and climb to the summit once again in upcoming international competitions.