Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has declared his team 'the best in the world' after they dominated France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final. Spain will now face either England or Argentina in Sunday's showpiece match.
Spain outclass France in semi-final
Spain booked their place in a first World Cup final since 2010 with an emphatic victory over tournament favourites France. The European champions took control midway through the first half when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal. Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the second half to seal the win.
France, who were bidding to reach a third successive World Cup final in Didier Deschamps' final tournament in charge, managed just ten shots – their lowest total at the World Cup. Spain kept their sixth clean sheet in seven matches, showcasing a formidable defence.
De la Fuente: 'We are the best team in the world'
De la Fuente was full of praise for his squad. 'It is difficult to describe how one feels, but I know it is something that resembles happiness,' the Euro 2024-winning manager said. 'The pride I have for every single one of this group of players is great, but now we have to keep going. We still have one more step to go. We're going to try to achieve it.'
'Today we played one of the national teams in the world, but they came up against the best team in the world. That is different,' he added. 'These players deserve it all because they show day after day their commitment, their generosity, their talent. It was marvelous to see them play so spectacularly today.'
Keane hails 'absolutely fantastic' Spain
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was equally impressed. 'Every part of the game,' Keane told ITV when asked what Spain got right. 'We talk about playing as a team, work rate off the ball, pride in possession, goal threats. They are used to winning, they won the European Cup. It felt more than a 2-0 victory. They controlled every aspect of the game. Absolutely fantastic.'
Spain will now await the outcome of the second semi-final between England and Argentina on Wednesday night. Regardless of the opponent, De la Fuente's side will enter the final as favourites, having conceded just one goal in the tournament.
