​Spanish captain Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy after the victory. – Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesAs the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.Here was a team that played a beautiful, dominant style of soccer that enthralled the world and stymied opponents on its way to the World Cup final. There, the squad encountered an opponent that played a punishing, physical game to throw off the beauty and rhythm of Spain. Despite some controversy in the match, La Roja scored a dramatic extra-time winner to claim the World Cup trophy. Also, both teams were motivated by the memory of people who had died in tragic circumstances: former Espanyol player Dani Jarque from a heart attack at age 26 in 2009 and Spain fan María Caamaño from Ewing’s sarcoma at age 13 on April 16.While the comparisons between 2010 and 2026 are almost innumerable if you are into numerology, two things are clear: Both of these teams are world champions and both have done so through a consistent, shared DNA that sets Spain apart.Lamine Yamal, Spain’s sensational teenage winger, is defended by Argentina’s Nicolás Tagliafico during Sunday’s final. – Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty ImagesThe 2026 world champions are the next evolution of a team that won the 2024 Euros, which was in itself a team that evolved from its 2008-2012 heyday. This 2024 team was one that used dynamic winger play behind a solid, dominant midfield to win a fourth European crown and it was widely expected that a similar squad would take to the pitch in North America.But injuries shattered those dreams. Hamstring tears to Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in their domestic club seasons removed that quick attacking threat from the flanks and led to a one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, the Cape Verde draw. Luis de la Fuente felt that he could simply replace Williams and Yamal with other players and make it work, just like he could with some of the players in the midfield like Fabián Ruiz, Pedri, Dani Olmo and others, but Spain’s DNA doesn’t come from winger play, it springs from the midfield.De la Fuente wisely shifted to a more tiki-taka-esque focus with a stout defense moving forward and hoped that his wingers would get healthy as the tournament progressed. While Yamal did get fully fit and Williams began making impactful substitute appearances, the real revolution was in Spain’s bread and butter.Aymeric Laporte and the Spanish defense allowed only one goal during the entire tournament. – Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty ImagesThe defense conceded an astounding one goal in the entire newly expanded tournament – a record. Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí (who won Young Player of the Tournament), Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella were tremendous throughout and played seamlessly with one another to produce a huge safety net at the back