Luis de la Fuente was full of praise for his substitutes after Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal to reach the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. The La Roja boss highlighted the "masterful" contribution of Mikel Merino, who settled the tense knockout clash with a clinical strike in the dying moments.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner as Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in an unexpectedly drab World Cup round-of-16 clash on Monday. The Arsenal midfielder was introduced in the 85th minute and won the game in the 91st with a tidy finish that was just about deserved. La Roja were ineffective for long stretches, and created little, but Merino proved to be the difference-maker.
Luis de la Fuente has admitted he would prefer not to see Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch when Spain face Portugal in a titanic 2026 World Cup round of 16 clash. The La Roja boss believes the 41-year-old remains a match-winning threat despite his veteran status in what is expected to be a high-stakes Iberian derby.
The battle to host the 2030 World Cup final is heating up as Spain officially throws its weight behind the Santiago Bernabeu and the newly renovated Camp Nou. While Morocco remains a serious contender with its ambitious infrastructure projects, Spanish football officials are adamant that the tournament's climax belongs on Iberian soil.
Barcelona star Pedri has hailed the "crazy" form of Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup while admitting he dreams of a blockbuster final showdown against the Argentine icon. The Spain international is currently preparing for a titanic round of 16 clash against Portugal, but his eyes are already drifting toward a potential reunion with the man he considers the greatest of all time.
The meteoric rise of young stars like Lamine Yamal has reignited the debate about who could inherit the throne left by the two greatest legends of modern football. However, former player Tonito warns that reaching the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo requires a consistency that few in history have managed to demonstrate over decades.
Mikel Oyarzabal was one of five Real Sociedad players in Spain's Euro 2024 squad. No other club had more. But neither Oyarzabal nor his fellow Basques made a song and dance about their role in Spain's success in Germany. "That would be us," he told The Guardian. "[We] don't like being in the spotlight." It's getting harder and harder for him to avoid it, though.
Barcelona star Gavi has offered a staunch defence of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that those who choose to write off the legendary forward are doing so from the outside. As Spain prepare for a heavyweight World Cup showdown against Portugal, the midfield engine believes the veteran remains a match-winning threat.
Lamine Yamal's 'EGO' headband became one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 World Cup after Spain's win over Austria. The accessory sparked widespread debate, with many wondering whether it was a fashion statement or a message aimed at critics questioning the Barcelona star's confidence.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has warned his team about Cristiano Ronaldo's enduring threat ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash with Portugal. While admitting the veteran striker is no longer at his physical peak, Simon believes his goalscoring instincts remain unmatched and dismissed suggestions that this could be Ronaldo's final World Cup.
Portugal defender Nelson Semedo has joined the global chorus of praise for Cape Verde following their dramatic World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina. Despite a heart-wrenching 3-2 defeat in extra time, the ex-Wolves full-back insists the island nation secured a moral victory that transcends the final scoreline.
Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
Luis de la Fuente has acknowledged that Lamine Yamal has not yet reached his absolute peak at the 2026 World Cup, despite Spain's dominant victory over Austria. The national team manager remains completely unfazed by the teenager's lack of goals in the tournament, firmly backing his prized prodigy to make a defining impact very soon.
Spain outclassed Austria in Los Angeles to reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win on Thursday. The European champions avoided any sort of scare by dominating proceedings from the outset, securing a comfortable victory through Mikel Oyarzabal's brace and a header from Pedro Porro as they belatedly clicked into gear at the tournament.
Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football, ending a career that lasted more than 20 years. The former Arsenal and Spain midfielder signed off after helping boyhood club Real Oviedo return to La Liga last year, completing a memorable final chapter following one of football's greatest comeback stories.
Andres Iniesta has backed Lamine Yamal to guide Spain to a second World Cup star, despite the teenager battling injury issues. Iniesta also highlighted the brilliance of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who lead the scoring charts. Spain have progressed to face Austria, while France have already reached the last 16 in a highly unpredictable tournament.
Spain midfielder Gavi has delivered the ultimate compliment to his Barcelona and international team-mate Lamine Yamal, claiming the 18-year-old sensation is the finest player in world football when excluding Lionel Messi. The duo are chasing World Cup glory, with Gavi backing the recovering winger to handle the immense pressure during their knockout campaign.
George Weah has dismissed comparisons between Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, insisting the Frenchman is 'far superior'. The former Ballon d'Or winner delivered a glowing assessment of the France captain as Les Bleus continue their charge at the 2026 World Cup.
Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal has publicly encouraged Julian Alvarez to swap Atletico Madrid for the Camp Nou, insisting the Argentine would be joining the "best club in the world." The teenage sensation spoke out as speculation intensifies regarding the striker's future following a reported breakdown in his relationship with Diego Simeone.
Marcelo Bielsa has delivered a characteristically intense and philosophical farewell to the Uruguay national team following their shock group-stage exit from the World Cup. The Argentine tactician used a marathon 100-minute press conference to reflect on a "very painful" exit, arriving armed with a dossier of data to defend his side's tactical output.
Lamine Yamal has sent a defiant message to Spain’s World Cup rivals, insisting that Didier Deschamps’ France side are not superior to La Roja. The Barcelona sensation is full of confidence as the tournament enters the knockout stages, sensationally predicting that he will lift the trophy in North America.
Lamine Yamal has confidently embraced the massive pressure of wearing the number 10 shirt for Barcelona and starring for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. The teenage sensation has also delivered a positive fitness update, confirming he is fully prepared to play 90 minutes in the upcoming knockout fixtures despite recent injury concerns and a cautious approach in the group stages.
Comprehensive match preview of Spain vs Austria at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 32 clash at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Manchester City has been hit by a significant setback before he has even overseen a competitive fixture, with midfield lynchpin Rodri set to undergo surgery. The Spanish international is carrying a mystery injury and is expected to miss the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign.
Spain
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