The Spanish National Team wrote a golden page in its history by becoming the first finalist of the Fifa World Cup 2026, after defeating France with authority in a match in which the team led by Luis de la Fuente offered an outstanding collective performance.
Although the French team arrived as one of the favorites to win the tournament due to the quality of its squad and the presence of world-class figures in all its lines, on the field of play it was Spain that imposed conditions from the first minute. With a collective operation, intensity in the pressure and a correct tactical reading, La Roja deactivated the French offensive circuits and left one of the strongest teams in the championship without answers.
The victory confirmed that football continues to reward collective work over individuality. Spain showed solidity in all its lines and found in team play the formula to overcome a rival that arrived with great expectations.
With the final whistle, the celebration broke out both in the stands and in the Spanish locker room. The qualification represents Spain’s second presence in a World Cup final, after the one achieved in South Africa 2010, where it won its first world title. Now, the Iberian team will have the opportunity to seek its second World Cup next Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium, in New York/New Jersey.
The joy was evident in the locker room, where players and coaching staff celebrated the historic passage to the final with songs.
One of the first to express the group’s emotion was Marc Cucurella, who summed up the general feeling as soon as he entered the locker room. “What a recital!” said the Spanish defender, very excited by his team’s performance. Furthermore, laughing and in the middle of the celebration, he made another comment that quickly went viral among his colleagues:
“What did you eat? Take it out of your pocket, brother.” Later, Dani Olmo spoke, highlighting the team’s journey throughout the tournament and showing confidence in the goal they still have ahead of them.
“It was written… We start in Atlanta and end in New York. It’s close… let’s go for it,” stated the midfielder. Olmo’s words made reference to Spain’s journey in the competition, from its World Cup debut in Atlanta to the possibility of closing the tournament with a title in the final to be played in New York/New Jersey.
For his part, goalkeeper Unai Simón, one of the figures of the championship and one of the least defeated goalkeepers in the World Cup, acknowledged that the group is still assimilating the magnitude of what has been achieved.
“We’re still digesting it a little bit. “None of us in the locker room are aware of what we are doing yet,” said the Spanish goalkeeper.
Spain is now one step away from returning to the top of world football. After their performance against France, the team led by Luis de la Fuente reaffirmed its candidacy for the title and made it clear that its strength lies in the collective work and conviction of a group that dreams of winning its second World Cup.