Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says Spain’s World Cup semi-final against France is effectively “a final before the final.” Speaking after Spain’s quarter-final win over Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles on an 88th-minute goal by Mikel Merino, De la Fuente describes Spain as one of the teams capable of reaching the tournament final. He specifically adds that Spain can beat France, including in the context of France’s form and forward Kylian Mbappé. De la Fuente says Spain has been fully focused on the semi-final and highlights that France has “immense potential,” while also noting that Spain is the only team to have beaten France in two previous semi-finals. He points to past meetings in major competitions, including Spain’s Euro 2024 semi-final win over France on their way to winning the European Championship, and a Nations League semi-final victory in 2005. The coach also expects the match to be more open than before, stating Spain will need to raise its level and adapt to different playing styles.
Spain coach De la Fuente says France semi-final is “final before the final”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says Spain’s World Cup semi-final against France is effectively “a final before the final.” Speaking after Spain’s quarter-final win over Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles on an...
- Luis de la Fuente describes Spain’s World Cup semi-final against France as “a final before the final.”
- Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final, with Mikel Merino scoring in the 88th minute.
- De la Fuente says Spain is capable of beating any team, including France and Kylian Mbappé.
- He says Spain is fully focused on France and expects the semi-final to be more open.
- De la Fuente cites past victories over France, including the Euro 2024 semi-final and the 2005 Nations League semi-final.
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on Friday that the World Cup semi-final with France would be "a final before the final". He said his side, who beat Belgium 2-1 in Friday's quarter-final thanks to an 88th minute Mikel Merino winner in Los Angeles, were "capable of beating any team", including tournament favourites France and red-hot forward Kylian Mbappe. "It's not an exaggeration to describe this match as a final before the final," De la Fuente said at the post-match press conference. "We're one of the teams capable of reaching the final," he said. "From now on, we are fully focused on France." "We're aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we're the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals." Spain defeated the French in the Euro 2024 semi-finals on their way to becoming European champions and also in the 2005 Nations League semi-finals. "The match will be more open than ever," the coach said. "We will have to raise our level of play, and we're going to give everything. "The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles," De la Fuente added. "We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team."
3 hours agoCoach Luis de la Fuente said Spain are 'capable of beating any team', including tournament favourites France and red-hot forward Kylian Mbappe.
4 hours ago
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