Luis de la Fuente was right
Coach Luis de la Fuente once again proved his value when adjustments from the bench helped Spain defeat Portugal 1-0 to win a ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Before the match, not many people doubted the quality of Spain's starting lineup. However, there is still a question whether La Roja has enough "super substitutes" to turn the tide when necessary. Especially in the context that wingers continuously have physical problems, Ferran Torres has not reached high form, and Borja Iglesias has not been given a chance.
And all doubts were dispelled in the 90+1 minute. In the decisive situation, Fabian Ruiz passed the ball to Rodri, the most outstanding midfielder in the match. Rodri quickly opened the ball to the wing for Ferran Torres to handle neatly before launching an accurate through ball for Mikel Merino to rush down.
The Spanish midfielder moved intelligently to avoid the offside trap and then unleashed a one-touch shot into the far corner, defeating Diogo Costa and bringing the only goal of the match.
Speaking after the match, De la Fuente praised his student: "Mikel Merino has never disappointed us. He once helped Spain win EURO and continue to prove his class at the World Cup. Merino is one of the best midfielders in the world.
He also emphasized that Spain's greatest strength lies not in the starting lineup but in the depth of the force.
We have said this many times. At EURO before, important matches were decided by players who came on from the bench. And today, that happened again" - the Spanish captain added.
The victory against Portugal is a clear proof of De la Fuente's philosophy. When key players are blocked, it is reserve players like Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino who have made a difference, helping La Roja continue to nurture hopes of conquering the 2026 World Cup championship.
Admirable defense
Spain's attack has not really exploded at the 2026 World Cup, but that does not prevent them from reaching the quarter-finals. After 5 matches, La Roja has only scored 9 goals, more than only Portugal and Paraguay in the group of 10 teams that have played enough matches.
However, their strength lies in the defense. Spain currently has the second best goal difference in the league, only behind France, thanks to their record of not conceding a goal since the beginning of the tournament.
Rodri is increasingly regaining his peak form and becoming an important stopper in front of the defense. Behind him is goalkeeper Unai Simon with a series of excellent saves, along with the central defender duo Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte playing solidly.
On both wings, Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro or Marcos Llorente create a balanced defense system. Superior ball control helps La Roja significantly limit pressure from the opponent, while the defense always knows how to stand firm when put in a difficult situation.
