Spain are chasing greatness. They are bidding to become just the fourth team to hold both the World Cup and European Championship crowns at the same time, following their compatriots in 2010, France in 2000 and West Germany in 1974. After winning Euro 2024 and reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, Luis de la Fuente's side are one step away from making history.
De la Fuente, now into his fourth year as Spain boss, has lost just three times since taking over in January 2023 and is on a run of 35 games without defeat. He guided Spain to the European Championship two years ago and has now led them to a World Cup semi-final against France, after a dramatic 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium. The winning goal came from substitute Mikel Merino, who scored his second late knockout goal in a row, after an error by Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois. De la Fuente's side conceded for the first time at the tournament in that match, but still found a way to win.
“Explains Spain's World Cup run under Luis de la Fuente, his style, and why it matters.”
De la Fuente's success is rooted in decades of work within the Spanish federation. He has been a coach in the system since 2013, shaping players and instilling values. His style can be defined as controlling possession but with alternatives. But alongside it he has created a culture. He believes football is a team sport built by good people – generous, supportive, selfless and willing to sacrifice for the collective. He repeats this idea constantly. "Almost every squad has had the opposite, the player who disrupts harmony, who puts himself first," he said before the Belgium game. His Spain is built on players who give before they take. National teams do not have the time to build the complexity of club sides, so the message has to be simple and repeated. That is where Spain have an advantage: their footballing identity has been developed over decades.
For UK readers, Spain's run matters because England are still in the tournament on the other side of the bracket. England face Norway in their quarter-final, and a potential final against Spain would be a repeat of the Euro 2024 final, which Spain won. Understanding how De la Fuente has built a team that combines tactical flexibility with a strong collective ethic offers lessons for any national side, including England, which has its own identity questions.
Q: Who is Luis de la Fuente? Luis de la Fuente is the Spain manager, 65, who took over in January 2023. He has lost only three matches since then and is on a 35-game unbeaten run. He has worked within the Spanish federation since 2013, helping to build a collective identity.
Q: What is Spain's playing style under De la Fuente? Spain's style is possession-based but with alternatives – controlling the ball while being able to adapt. It relies on players who understand the game collectively, with an emphasis on generosity and sacrifice for the team.
Q: How have Spain been so successful recently? Spain won Euro 2024 and have reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2026. Their success comes from a clear, repeated identity built over decades, a manager who focuses on people and culture, and key players like Lamine Yamal and super-sub Mikel Merino, who scored late winners in both knockout games.
What happens next: Spain face France in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday 14 July 2026 in Texas. The winner will advance to the final against the winner of the other semi-final, which will be one of Norway, England, Argentina or Switzerland.