New Jersey, July 17 (IANS) Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro trained separately from the rest of the Spain squad during the team’s first training session in New Jersey as the team began preparing for the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina. Both players were seen stretching on the sidelines as their teammates trained at the New York Red Bulls’ facility in New Jersey.Yamal, who was troubled by a hamstring strain before the tournament, had his left thigh strapped, though the extent of his condition …
Latest Luis de la Fuente News & Updates
New Delhi, July 16 (IANS) Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn believes reigning champions Argentina are the only team capable of defeating Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, describing Lionel Scaloni’s side as ‘bulletproof’ ahead of Monday’s title clash.Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, have emerged as one of the standout teams of the tournament, and Kahn admitted he had considered La Roja favourites even before the World Cup began.“For me, the Spanish team was the favourite team befo…
Arlington, July 15 (IANS) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team had reached their peak at the perfect moment and recaptured the spirit of the 2010 edition after a 2-0 win sent La Roja into its first FIFA World Cup final since lifting the trophy 16 years ago. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute, and Pedro Porro added a second just before the hour mark as Spain subdued one of the tournament favourites in Dallas.”We started almost four years ago with an idea and we’ve bee…
Arlington, July 15 (IANS) Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro earned Spain a deserved 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium in their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final here at the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday. This was France’s fourth defeat in the semi-finals of the World Cup (1958, 1982, 1986, 2026) in eight appearances. Moreover, this was the third consecutive elimination against Spain in the semi-finals of a competition after Euro 2024 (2-1) and the Nations League 2025 (5-4).France lost th…
Dallas, July 14 (IANS) France coach Didier Deschamps labelled Spain the favourite to win the FIFA World Cup on Monday, a day before the two European powers meet in the semifinals at the Dallas Stadium in Dallas on Thursday (IST).”Forget about their match against Cabo Verde,” Deschamps told a pre-match news conference, referring to Spain’s goalless draw in its opening group game. “Since then, they have shown they are the favourites to win the World Cup.””Spain are capable of playing outstanding a…
New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Former French defender Luis Fernandez has backed France to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 title but stressed that if Spain knocks the Les Blues out, “he’d be happy for them too.” Spain and France will lock horns in the semifinal at the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday. The two teams will face each other for the second time in the final stages of the World Cup after the round of 16 won by Les Bleus (3-1) in 2006.Born in southern Spain but raised in France, the 66-year-old still …
Arlington, July 14 (IANS) As familiar foes, France and Spain will renew acquaintances on the biggest of stages in a FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final showdown at Dallas Stadium, La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente said he knows Le Blues are a much better team than the one they defeated in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The two teams will face each other for the second time in the final stages of the World Cup after the round of 16 matchup in 2006, which France won 3-1. Since then, the tide has turned,…
Los Angeles, July 11 (IANS) Two knockout matches, two decisive goals. Mikel Merino has become Spain’s unlikely hero at the FIFA World Cup, establishing himself as one of the tournament’s most effective substitutes.The midfielder came off the bench in the 86th minute and struck just two minutes later to seal Spain’s 2-1 victory over Belgium in Friday’s quarterfinal, sending La Roja into their first World Cup semifinal since 2010. It was a repeat of his match-winning contribution in the round of 1…
Los Angeles, July 11 (IANS) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised the depth, unity and selflessness of his squad after two of his key selection decisions proved decisive in a 2-1 victory over Belgium that sent the European champions into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals on Friday.Fabian Ruiz, who was handed a surprise start in place of Pedri, broke the deadlock before second-half substitute Mikel Merino came off the bench and fired home the winner just two minutes after his introduction after Belg…
New York, July 9 (IANS) Spain and Belgium meet in an all-European World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, with Belgium facing the daunting task of becoming the first team to score against Spain in the tournament.Spain has yet to concede a goal at the World Cup, with goalkeeper Unai Simón extending his shutout streak in World Cup finals to 609 minutes, a run dating back to the group stage of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.Luis de la Fuente is expected to retain his preferred back four of Marc Cucurell…