​Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente insists that neither he nor his players are fazed by the weight of expectation as the current European champions prepare to face Belgium for a place in the World Cup semi-finals. Spain have largely flown under the radar in this tournament, especially after a surprising goalless draw with Cape Verde. The Roja then responded with a dominant win over Saudi Arabia and a steady performance against Uruguay to finish top of their group.
Although touted as a favorite entering the World Cup, Spain haven’t exploded onto the scene in the same way as France, nor have their stars dominated headlines like Argentina, Norway, or England. Nevertheless, their methodical team play has helped them reach the quarterfinals without breaking a sweat; they have yet to concede a goal in five matches and have rarely looked vulnerable.
With Belgium’s form relatively underwhelming aside from a 4-1 rout of the United States in the round of 32, Spain were the favorites going into the clash, though de la Fuente dismissed that tag as a talking point for the media. “I don’t fear being the favorite or not. Favouritism doesn’t guarantee anything,” he said. “What I can tell you is we’ve done the work. We’ve prepared. We are ready for these kinds of games where, by the way, there are no favorites. Whoever’s considered the favorite is just a matter of opinion. We have to focus on our own game and recognize that tomorrow’s match will be tough. It’ll be difficult. We must be at our best to be victorious.”
A pivotal figure for Spain will be Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old Barcelona talent hasn’t yet reached the peak of his abilities in this World Cup, especially when compared with the form shown by Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane. With just one goal and one assist so far, Yamal’s early tournament has been tempered by a late-season injury. De la Fuente suggested there remains more to come from the prodigy, hinting at a higher gear ahead.
“We know that the best version of him—the attacking Lamine—hasn’t fully appeared yet in this World Cup. Not to the level we’re used to,” he stated. “Against Portugal, he delivered one of his best performances [and] it was a very important day for his development.” Yamal’s class was evident against Portugal, where his sharp movements and raw pace stretched PSG full-back Nuno Mendes in the opening half of a tightly contested encounter. “He doesn’t need extra motivation. Sometimes you have to calm his intensity. He’s very motivated—he wants to do so much,” the coach added.
Beyond Yamal, other Spain players have shone, with Rodri and César Arribas among those who have stood out in their respective positions. The pair will face a stern defensive test against Belgium, who will look to exploit any gaps at the back. As the match approaches, Spain’s structure and discipline remain their calling cards, and de la Fuente has reiterated that their focus remains firmly on their own game and their capacity to meet the challenge head-on.