Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has emphasized that his team will double their efforts for the upcoming clash against Saudi Arabia, aiming to bounce back and secure their first win at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The comments from the Euro 2024 champion manager came after La Roja’s highly disappointing 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde. This result complicates Spain’s path in Group H, raising the stakes of losing the top spot, which could lead to a tougher opponent in the Round of 32.
Reflecting on the match, De la Fuente told the media:
“Cape Verde is an extremely well-organized team. From the very first minute, we noticed they were sitting very deep, making it incredibly difficult to create open spaces.”
He added, “We managed to create chances despite everything, but in the final third, the ball simply refused to go into the net. We knew coming into this that it would be highly complex and difficult to win.”
Looking ahead to the next match, the Spanish tactician stated confidently: “We stumbled today, but we will be focused at 200% on the next match against Saudi Arabia, and we will win it.”
Update on Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams
When questioned about the fitness and return of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, De la Fuente explained: “The goal today was to give them minutes to regain their rhythm. I am confident they will be in a better shape for the next games. They, along with the rest of the squad, will perform much better against Saudi Arabia.”
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Group H Outlook: Saudi Arabia faces Uruguay on Tuesday morning. Following that, the Green Falcons will gear up for a massive showdown against Spain next Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
