The Spaniard seems to be particularly good at frustrating his opponents. Their prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has demonstrated this in the geopolitical arena and has repeatedly angered Trump over his refusal to allow the United States to use Spanish airspace in the Iran war.A few weeks later, national team captain Luis de la Fuente expressed a similar belief in his theory of “friendship” to frustrate football’s superpowers – Portugal, Belgium, France and, finally, the “untouchables”, Lionel MessiIt’s Argentina. Spain’s victory at the World Cup marked the return of a footballing empire – one built not on the brilliance of superstars but on the power and appeal of the collective.Spain conquered Europe in 2024 and Sunday’s victory in New York two years later completed a remarkable renaissance, confirming that the country’s footballing identity has evolved rather than simply regressed.A possession-based strategy initiated by Luis Aragones suffocated opponents and allowed Spain to lift the continental trophy for the first time in 2008 after 44 years.Then they conquered the world in 2010 on Vicente del Bosque’s carousel. The culmination of the rescaled European Summit in 2012 was a delicious combination of passing creativity and penalty area sharpness. But then, Spain lost its way in the brief transition.Spain, trapped in a possession maze, were mired in the aftermath of the defeat of Vicente del Bosque’s side in 2014. In Qatar 2022, Luis Enrique’s team with 75% possession did not score in 120 minutes against Morocco! Luis de la Fuente walked in. As of Sunday, Spain had yet to lose a single game in continental competition since the 65-year-old took over four years ago. La Roja won all 7 games and scored 15 goals to win Euro 2024. This time, they won seven of eight games and drew one, scoring 14 goals and conceding only one. With a decade of experience developing Spain’s youth teams, he draws on a deep connection with the players he has developed since their teenage years.
Unlike many modern national teams centered around one towering figure, Spain’s greatest strength is that no player is indispensable. Lamine Yamal dazzled, Rodri controlled the situation, Pedri controlled the tempo, Nico Williams stretched the defense and substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal. However, not one of them carries this burden alone. With the fate of the final still hanging in the balance, Rodri made way for Zubimendi in the 99th minute for his first taste of the World Cup. Ideas trump icons.The architect of this revival was de la Fuente himself. He coached the Spanish U-19 team to the European Championship in 2015, the U-21 team to the European Championship in 2019 and the Olympic team to a silver medal in Tokyo before taking charge of the senior team in 2022. Many players who lifted the World Cup learned his theorem as teenagers. Players entering the senior team are fluent in the language of De La Fuente. The national team is just the latest stage in a long journey.Euro 2024 showcased this shift for the first time. Spain has abandoned the stereotype of futile possession that characterized the latter part of the Xavi Iniesta era (2008-2012). They add speed, verticality and athleticism.Lamine Yamar and Nico Williams provided width and acceleration, while Rodri and Pedri ensured control of the midfield. The European title is the basis of a larger project that reaches its logical conclusion on Sunday.
