Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has shifted his attention to the 2026 World Cup after his side’s heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final in Munich. Despite the loss, the Spanish coach expressed confidence in his team’s direction and praised their character and long-term prospects.
“From this very moment we are already thinking about the next World Cup, which is our goal,” said de la Fuente. “With the way we approach things, we are sure to go far in the future. Our team is always in a position to win there is a lot of commitment, a lot of roots. We will always be close to winning.”
Spain appeared poised to add to their recent trophy haul having lifted the Nations League title in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024 but fell short in the final against a resilient Portuguese side. The match ended 2-2 after extra time, with Spain having twice taken the lead only to be pegged back on both occasions.
The penalty shootout saw both sides convert their first three spot kicks, but Spain’s hopes faded when forward Alvaro Morata saw his effort saved by Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Moments later, Ruben Neves calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to seal a 5-3 win for Portugal.
Despite the disappointment, de la Fuente remained positive and proud of his players. The coach highlighted the efforts of his youthful squad, which once again showed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament. One of the standout performers was midfielder Pedri, whose influence on Spain’s rhythm and structure was clear.
Pedri played a key role in Spain’s dramatic 5-4 semifinal win over France. He was substituted with Spain leading 5-1, after which the team appeared to lose control and allowed three late goals. A similar pattern emerged in the final, where Spain lost their midfield composure after Pedri was taken off late in the game.
The coach acknowledged the challenge of fatigue following a long season, suggesting that the physical toll on his players may have played a role in their drop in performance. Nevertheless, he credited Portugal for their tactical discipline and individual quality.
“Portugal have done things very well, they have players of the highest level,” de la Fuente noted.
He also stood by Morata following his penalty miss, underlining the striker’s importance to the team both on and off the pitch.
“Morata is a real champion and a benchmark for us,” he said. “I’m sorry he missed the penalty, but many players don’t even want to take one. He took responsibility. He missed, but that happens in football.”
Spain’s defeat was their first in a competitive international match since a 2023 Euro qualifier loss to Scotland, ending a run of strong form under de la Fuente. Despite the setback, the team’s consistency and talent continue to inspire optimism, with the coach insisting that their eyes are now firmly on preparing for the World Cup.
Spain will look to build on their recent achievements with a focus on youth development, tactical evolution, and the continued leadership of key players like Pedri and Morata as they aim to return to global glory in 2026.
