Luis de la Fuente says Spain are the best team in the world after a clinical 2-0 win over France sent La Roja into the World Cup final for the first time since their triumph in 2010.
Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal in the box, before Pedro Porro doubled the advantage just before the hour mark.
France, who arrived in Arlington having scored 16 goals in the tournament and with Kylian Mbappe joint-top scorer on eight, were restricted to just 0.3 expected goals across 90 minutes.
De la Fuente, speaking after the final whistle, struggled to contain his emotion while insisting the job is not yet finished.
“It is difficult to describe how one feels, but I know it is something that resembles happiness,” he said. “The pride I have for every single one of this group of players is great, but now we have to keep going. We still have one more step to go. We’re going to try to achieve it.
“A lot of tension builds up, it is a huge responsibility, and to be in the final of a World Cup is a luxury. It is only for the chosen ones and the rest have to try to repeat it, not in this squad, but when we started almost four years ago with an idea, a philosophy, and that has brought us here. I’m so proud of this.”
‘They make the difficult look so easy’
Spain’s performance against a France side that had conceded only twice all tournament drew widespread admiration, and De la Fuente was unfiltered in his assessment of where his side stands among world football’s elite.
“Today we played one of the national teams in the world, but they came up against the best team in the world,” he said.
“That is different. These players deserve it all because they show day after day their commitment, their generosity, their talent. It was marvellous to see them play so spectacularly today. They make the difficult look so easy. Happy, proud and what calms me now is that we start to realise where we are.”
‘It is an honour to be Spanish’
De la Fuente, who took over the national team in 2022 and has gone without defeat since a loss to Colombia shortly after his appointment, also took time to address the supporters watching from home and around the world.
“Total gratitude for the huge displays of support and affection and strength that they send to us,” he said. “It is an honour to be Spanish, it is an honour to feel like you are bringing together a whole country.”
Spain will face the winner of the second semi-final between England and Argentina in the World Cup final, which takes place on July 19.
