(From L-R) Spain's defender #12 Pedro Porro, Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri, Spain's defender #14 Aymeric Laporte, Spain's defender #22 Pau Cubarsi, Spain's goalkeeper #23 Unai Simon, (bottom L-R) Spain's midfielder #15 Alex Baena, Spain's defender #24 Marc Cucurella, Spain's midfielder #20 Pedri, Spain's forward #10 Dani Olmo, Spain's forward #21 Mikel Oyarzabal and Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal pose prior to the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on June 21, 2026. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has described his side’s FIFA World Cup semi-final against France as “a final before the final”, backing his players to rise to the occasion against one of the tournament favourites.
Spain booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 victory over Belgium, setting up a blockbuster meeting with Didier Deschamps’ side.
“It’s not an exaggeration to describe this match as a final before the final.
De La Fuente
