World Cup: De la Fuente Warns Spain Ahead of France Clash
ARLINGTON, Texas – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente isn’t buying into the hype. Ahead of Tuesday’s blockbuster World Cup semi-final against France, the Spanish boss dismissed the idea that his side enters the match as favorites, insisting that “prestige won’t decide the outcome.”
Speaking at a press conference at AT&T Stadium, De la Fuente responded to earlier comments from French manager Didier Deschamps, who had labeled Spain the frontrunners to reach the final. “Being the favorite means nothing. It’s not decisive,” De la Fuente said. “We are facing two great national teams. I remember a coach once saying that when people praise you too much, you should doubt if they are truly ready to face you.”
Battle of Equals
Spain’s path to the semi-final has been a display of resilience, featuring a dominant 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 16 followed by hard-fought victories against Portugal and Belgium. Despite France’s rich history—this being their eighth semi-final appearance compared to Spain’s second—De la Fuente believes the teams are on equal footing.
“France has players of extraordinary scale, but so do we,” he emphasized. “We have to impose our qualities and minimize theirs. There is no team better than the other at this stage; we are among the four best in the world.”
Eyes on Lamine Yamal
The spotlight remains firmly fixed on 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. The FC Barcelona forward has been a creative spark for ‘La Roja’ throughout the tournament, though he has only found the net once during a group-stage rout of Saudi Arabia. De la Fuente urged his young star to stay grounded.
“He needs to stay calm and enjoy himself,” the coach said. “Lamine’s big day in the World Cup is yet to come. I hope it’s tomorrow. If not, let it be in the final.”
Yamal, appearing unfazed by the magnitude of the occasion, echoed his coach’s composure. “I’m not worried about scoring goals, though I know it’s special in games like this,” Yamal said. “I play the way I know how. When you give your all for the team, you don’t feel the pressure.”
In a lighthearted moment, Yamal was asked about the “magic” of the number 19—his jersey number, his current age, and the date of the upcoming World Cup final. “I don’t believe in numerology,” he laughed, “but I do see myself as a world champion.”
The Road to the Final
The winner of Tuesday’s clash will face either defending champions Argentina or 1966 winners England, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta.
The 2026 World Cup final—the culmination of the first-ever 48-team tournament hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—is set for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Image: Pexels – Pixabay
