De la Fuente Praises Portugal, but Assures Spain's Confidence

DALLAS — Less than 24 hours before kickoff at Dallas Stadium, Spain's national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, previewed the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Portugal. The Spanish coach praised Cristiano Ronaldo, admitting he is a "confessed admirer," and lauded the Portuguese national team, equating their quality to that of La Roja. However, he expressed confidence in the Spanish squad, asserting that Spain would do everything to dominate the game with their established principles. But, if that fails, the objective remains to win this "final."

— Will Pedro Porro remain in the starting eleven?

— The reason for a change isn't solely due to Portugal's strengths, as they are a formidable team. In this case, we must consider the opponent, but we want them to be more concerned with us, regardless of who plays on the right flank—be it Marcos [Llorente], Porro, Lamine, or anyone else. I have absolute confidence in all our players.

— What does Cristiano Ronaldo mean to football?

— I am a confessed admirer of Cristiano, of individuals and footballers like him, with character, ambition, and a desire to grow and improve every day. Tireless. He is an example for young players and even for those who are not so young. I bow to Cristiano. I believe he hasn't given everything he has to give; he will continue to deliver more. He is a footballer who can be dangerous in any circumstance. This doesn't mean we need to man-mark him, but in certain areas, we must be concerned about him. With his talent and class, he is the best in the zones where games are decided. I'd prefer he didn't play, but I believe he will. We will enjoy the spectacle of one of the best players in history. We will try to play our game, to be superior to them, and to him.

— Is Spain improving every day?

— Yes, but this isn't a league with 38 matchdays. Tomorrow is a final. It could be our last game if we don't perform and Portugal does, or we could play three more matches. Improvements must be progressive, constant, but also immediate. We are on that path. I believe there is room for improvement. I am so optimistic and have so much faith in these footballers that I believe we can improve every day. Tomorrow, compared to the last game, will demand us to be a little better than we were.

— Will you ask Lamine Yamal for extra effort in defense?

— He is always willing to work harder, but we don't need to ask more of him. We are delighted with what he gives us. He knows that growth involves these aspects. I want him to make the opposing defense suffer. If they take the initiative, everyone will have to suffer. I see Lamine more motivated every day, with more desire. He thrives in these games, with the responsibility. That's good, but he needs to be beyond anxiety. Zero anxiety and 100% motivation. A footballer like that brings a lot of peace of mind to coaches.

— Will you give special instructions to players to win the midfield battle?

— Our philosophy is easily recognizable. We will try to do what we've been doing, but in a way that harms the opponent. In last year's Nations League [lost to Portugal], I felt we could have achieved more. It was a game of high technical and tactical quality. Portugal can sometimes win without doing things perfectly, just like us. We want to be true to our identity. We want to beat Portugal. That is our objective.

— Are you comfortable with Cubarsí marking Cristiano Ronaldo?

— With Cristiano, we can never be completely comfortable, just as with Lamine or Oyarzabal. But I have full confidence in my players. We must overcome the opponent in all areas. He and Laporte have shown full capability. They are exceptional. It's a battle, and we'll see who comes out on top. A footballer isn't just a footballer because of their physical attributes, but also a thousand other factors. And young players like Cubarsí, Lamine, Nico [Williams] have brilliant control over these situations. That's the difference. They are technically very good, but the difference lies in how they control these moments. In specific moments, a player like Laporte provides experience. They complement each other fantastically.

— Yamal struggled against Nuno Mendes in the Nations League.

— Nuno Mendes has caused difficulties for many; he's very good. Just like Lamine, who has given many defenders unpleasant nights. We need to calm him down, though he doesn't need much; he's very composed. He can't have anxiety. He needs to think about himself and the team, just as he does. Every game is different. Let's not think that because an opponent beat you once, they will always beat you. We hope he gives us a glorious afternoon.

— Is there a thirst for revenge because of the Nations League?

— We need to find their weaknesses. It will be different, not in terms of the style of play, because it's very similar, but we know the World Cup is a unique opportunity, and we will have to play for the win.

— How are you experiencing this World Cup?

— With calm and tranquility. I have to pay attention to every detail, purely focused on football. If we were paying attention to what's happening on the streets, we'd be more nervous. In our bubble, we are very comfortable. I am very calm.

— How is Nico Williams?

— We'll see how he approaches the game. We'll see if he gets minutes or not. We'll think about what's best for him and the team. He might participate even with limitations, but it's not the same to come on when you're ahead or behind. We'll see. We might have an idea, but football is unpredictable, like the sea. We'll see, both with him and with Victor [Muñoz].

— The whole country wants Spain to win.

— We live for them; through families and friends, hundreds of messages arrive. We are not ignorant. We don't know the full magnitude, but we are grateful. We are proud to be Spanish. May they continue to support us, as we need it. It's very important to have that little engine, which is a boost when the fuel runs low.