​How good is Spain? What to know about soccer’s unsung superpower dominating the 2026 World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Spain is off to the World Cup final for the second time in its history, advancing to the biggest game in the world’s biggest sporting spectacle courtesy of a dominant 2-0 win over tournament favorites France.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLa Roja has enjoyed a dazzling tourney thus far, proving to be international soccer’s most stout defense. Despite its exploits, casual audiences might not be privy to Spain’s gifted roster, save for star man Lamine Yamal.With that, The Sporting News takes you through what has made the Spaniards so hard to beat in this year’s World Cup.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsLa Roja endured a shaky start to its World Cup journey, recording a shock 0-0 draw against tournament newcomer Cape Verde in its opening match. Spain found its form in the final two matches of the group stage, setting Saudi Arabia and Uruguay aside to claim top spot in Group H.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Spaniards have looked far more menacing in the knockout stages, conceding just one goal while finding enough moments of attacking flair to put themselves in position to potentially hoist the World Cup trophy.They’re noticeably bereft of household names, at least as far as a casual audience is concerned. That hasn’t stopped Luis de la Fuente’s bunch from finding success, however.Spain’s strength is its defense. De La Fuente has deployed Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella in his four-man unit, tasking them with blighting their opposition’s attacking flair. His approach has worked a charm to this point; La Roja has conceded precious few chances throughout the knockout stages. Spain surrendered just 1.59 expected goals across the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals.While lacking the true star names one might affiliate with Spanish sides of the past, they have plenty of talent littered across the side. Lamine Yamal is the standout. But Rodri is less than two years removed from capturing the Ballon d’Or, Pedri and Dani Olmo are stalwarts at Barcelona and Mikel Oyarzabal has been in rich goal-scoring form. All of that has combined to help propel Spain to the brink of a second-ever World Cup triumph.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE:Quiet man Mikel Oyarzabal having the final word in World Cup of superstarsThe Spaniards have rolled off quite the winning run as of late, failing to see defeat in any of their last 37 matches. That’s the joint-longest unbeaten run in international soccer history, level with the 37-game unbeaten run Italy enjoyed from 2018-2021.Spain last suffered defeat on March 26, 2024, falling to Colombia, 1-0.Spain entered the World Cup as the No. 2 team in FIFA’s World Rankings. La Roja climbed to the top fol