Spain's national football team is brimming with confidence as they prepare for the World Cup final, having secured their place by defeating tournament favorites France. The players celebrated their 2-0 victory in Dallas, a win that saw key French players like Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele struggling to find attacking momentum.
Marc Cucurella described his teammates' performance as a "f***ing masterclass" in the immediate aftermath, as attention shifted to the final in New York against either England or Argentina. Dani Olmo of Barcelona suggested that a second World Cup title for Spain felt preordained, stating, "It was written in the stars. We started in Atlanta, and ended up in New York. It's close... let's go for it."
Goalkeeper Unai Simon, while acknowledging the team's elation, adopted a more measured tone. "We're still processing it a bit, because none of us in the locker room are fully aware of what we're doing," Simon said. "But we'll realise it as the days go by, and we'll start preparing for the World Cup final."
The team's path to the final included a series of late victories in previous matches. Mikel Merino scored crucial late goals as a substitute against Portugal and Belgium. In the match against France, Spain took the lead shortly before a hydration break when teen sensation Lamine Yamal drew a penalty, which Mikel Oyarzabal converted. Pedro Porro extended the lead in the 58th minute.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente declared his team "the best in the world," emphasizing their potential to add another trophy to their cabinet, following their 2024 European Championship win. "We're feeling unbeatable," De La Fuente stated after the final whistle. "They (France) faced the best team in the world. We have that edge. These players deserve everything because day after day, they demonstrate their commitment, their generosity, their solidarity, and their talent. It is wonderful to watch them play. Today was a spectacle. What seems difficult, this team makes it look easy."
