Spain Prepares for FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinal Against France

Spain's Readiness for the Semifinal

Luis de la Fuente, the head coach of Spain, expressed confidence in his team's readiness for the upcoming semifinal against France, a favorite in the tournament. He emphasized that each match presents unique challenges and acknowledged the strength of his squad.

Acknowledging France's Threat

Following Spain's 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals, De la Fuente recognized the formidable nature of the French team. He stated, "Every match is a new challenge, and we are aware of what they can bring. It's not fair to judge players with less playing time; they are equally skilled as those on the field."

Unity and Respect in the Squad

The coach praised the camaraderie and character within the team, noting that mutual respect is the foundation of their success. He remarked, "This group exemplifies respect; everything is built from that. We are fortunate to have not only talented players but also exceptional individuals. Looking at the bench gives me peace of mind."

Highlighting Team Spirit

De la Fuente commended Spain's fighting spirit, particularly singling out midfielder Mikel Merino for his contributions. He stated, "Spain is a team with heart, and that drives us. Mikel Merino is a player who excels in every aspect and embodies commitment and solidarity. He is an outstanding player."

Gratitude Towards the Support Team

The Spanish manager expressed his appreciation for his coaching staff and support team, attributing the team's achievements to their collective effort. He said, "I am grateful to everyone who supports me and my entire technical staff. I couldn't have achieved this alone; I am surrounded by a fantastic team that stands by me at all times."

Match Recap: Spain vs. Belgium

In the quarterfinal match, Fabian Ruiz, who started unexpectedly ahead of Pedri, and substitute Mikel Merino scored for Spain, while Charles De Ketelaere netted for Belgium. The match saw Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois exit due to injury. Ruiz opened the scoring after Courtois deflected Dani Olmo's shot into his path, while Lamine Yamal's energetic performance earned him the Player of the Match title.

Unai Simon's Impressive Streak Ends

Belgium equalized just before halftime when Kevin De Bruyne set up Timothy Castagne, whose cross was headed in by De Ketelaere. This goal ended Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon's remarkable streak of 560 consecutive World Cup minutes without conceding, surpassing the previous record of 517 minutes held by Italy's Walter Zenga since 1990.

Merino's Winning Goal

Belgium faced a significant setback in the 71st minute when Courtois was replaced by Senne Lammens due to injury. Shortly after, Lammens failed to secure a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Merino, who had just entered the game, to score the decisive goal.

Spain's Unbeaten Streak Continues

With this victory, Spain extended their unbeaten streak to 36 matches since their loss to Colombia, matching Argentina's unbeaten run from 2019 to 2022 and falling just one match short of Italy's world-record 37-match unbeaten streak. Spain is now set to face France in a highly anticipated semifinal as they pursue another FIFA World Cup title.