De la Fuente: Great teams step up when it matters

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente reflected on his side's commanding 3-0 victory over Austria in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, praising the team's performance and individual contributions. "I have plenty of reasons to be happy. This win is crucial and it was sensational. I'm especially thrilled for Unai – I've known him since his youth days, and his achievement is a reward," de la Fuente said. The coach emphasized that Spain are still evolving and have not yet peaked. "We're playing very well and moving forward, but we need to get better. Our mindset is constant improvement. We're ambitious and hungry." He singled out Marc Cucurella for special praise, calling him "impeccable, like clockwork." "He reads the game brilliantly, he's a top-class player, and he still has a long career ahead." De la Fuente acknowledged Austria could have caused problems had Spain not executed well. He also referenced the Uruguay match as a key stepping stone. "I'm incredibly lucky to coach such fantastic players. The potential for growth is unlimited." On defensive improvements, he added: "We need to sharpen our defensive play, particularly our high press, at least until halftime. We've made adjustments, but it's always about refinement. We can increase our efficiency. The next opponent will be stronger, so we must double down." Regarding Rodri, de la Fuente said: "He's having an exceptional World Cup. Pressing, joining attacks, shooting – he does it all. And Pedri delivered another masterclass. I'm thrilled with their contributions." He also highlighted goalkeeper Unai Simón, recalling their time together winning the U-19 European Championship in Greece. "I know his family, our relationship is almost family-like. It's a great honor to coach one of the best goalkeepers in the world." Closing his remarks, de la Fuente stated: "Great teams step up when it matters. Oyarzabal showed his quality again, and the whole team played a defining match. But we must continue improving in this process we're going through in a normal environment."