Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his side learned valuable lessons from the goalless draw against Cape Verde and must continue to improve ahead of Friday’s Group H World Cup match against Uruguay.
After the stalemate against Cape Verde, Spain produced an improved performance in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
De la Fuenta rejected suggestions that Spain could settle for a draw against Uruguay, saying: “I only know how to play to win.”
De la Fuente described Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay as a physically and tactically demanding side and said it would be an honor to face a coach he greatly admires.
The Spanish coach also defended winger Nico Williams’ claim that Spain is «the best», saying the team’s confidence always comes with humility and respect for opponents.
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He hailed Lamine Yamal as a ‘genius’ in the making and praised Mikel Oyarzabal’s football intelligence, saying the striker continues to impress him.
The Spanish boss hinted that players who have ‘demanding opportunities’ could be rewarded, but said he would make a final decision on his line-up after the team’s final training session.
Published on June 26, 2026
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