De la Fuente: France clash is 'a final before the final'

July 11, 2026 / 8:50 PM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente described Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against France in Dallas as “a final before the final,” expressing confidence that his side has what it takes to overcome any opponent. Speaking after Spain’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium in Los Angeles, De la Fuente said the showdown with France would be one of the tournament’s biggest tests.

A clash of titans

De la Fuente noted that calling this match a final before the final was not an exaggeration, pointing out that Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16 had carried similar significance.

He stated that Spain is fully focused on France and acknowledged the strength of the reigning powerhouse. However, he also highlighted his team’s recent success against the French, which includes victories in both the UEFA Euro 2024 and UEFA Nations League 2025 semi-finals.

Tactics and team synergy

Looking ahead to the strategy for Tuesday, De la Fuente predicted that the match would be more open than ever, stressing that the team must raise its performance level and give everything they have. While he emphasized their great respect for France, he firmly reiterated his belief that Spain is capable of beating any team.

Addressing his recent squad selection, De la Fuente explained that tactical changes were intentionally introduced to bring greater dynamism to the team, concluding that the overall collective performance remains far more important than the specific starting lineup.