Luis de la Fuente hails Spain’s ‘sublime’ World Cup triumph and reveals how La Roja stopped Lionel Messi

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente hailed his side’s “sublime” collective performance after guiding La Roja to a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The veteran manager credited teamwork, tactical discipline and unwavering commitment for Spain’s historic triumph, while revealing that limiting Lionel Messi’s influence was central to their game plan.

Spain crowned world champions

Spain secured football’s biggest prize after edging Argentina 1-0 in a tightly contested World Cup final.

Although the match remained finely balanced for long periods, La Roja controlled possession for much of the contest and consistently prevented the defending champions from finding their attacking rhythm.

De la Fuente believed his team were the better side throughout the final and felt they deserved to lift the trophy, even if victory eventually came later than he would have liked.

De la Fuente praises Spain’s discipline

Reflecting on Spain’s journey to World Cup glory, the head coach highlighted the steady progress his players made throughout the tournament.

He praised their resilience and willingness to sacrifice for one another in crucial moments.

“We had a great World Cup and we learned from every game.”

The Spain manager added:

“We were superior in the final. It’s a pity we didn’t win it earlier, but it is never easy to play games like this. Winning with sacrifices is always the best thing.”

His comments reflected the mentality that carried Spain through the tournament, with the squad consistently prioritising collective success over individual accolades.

How Spain neutralised Lionel Messi

One of Spain’s biggest tactical challenges was containing Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

Rather than assigning a dedicated man-marker, Spain focused on controlling possession and limiting the spaces where the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could dictate play.

According to De la Fuente, dominating the ball was the key to frustrating Messi.

“We managed to keep him away with ball possession.”

He also praised the defensive commitment shown across the entire squad.

“We did very well indeed. The work of the team was sublime.”

Spain’s approach proved effective, with Messi largely restricted to deeper areas and unable to produce the decisive moments that had defined much of Argentina’s tournament.

Teamwork behind Spain’s success

Throughout his tenure, De la Fuente has consistently emphasised collective responsibility over individual brilliance.

Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign reflected that philosophy, with every player contributing both in and out of possession.

The manager believes his squad’s commitment ultimately made the difference.

“I have wonderful players, brilliant, the best in the world.”

He continued:

“They make things look easier and besides that, they always work with the maximum dedication.”

Rather than focusing solely on star names, De la Fuente insisted Spain succeeded because they functioned as a complete unit.

“We had the best team, not the best national team. We had great attention and I am very proud of my players.”

Final verdict

Spain’s World Cup triumph was built on organisation, tactical intelligence and an unwavering team-first mentality.

By controlling possession, limiting Lionel Messi’s influence and maintaining their composure throughout the final, La Roja delivered one of the most complete performances of the tournament.

For De la Fuente, the victory was the perfect reward for months of preparation and collective sacrifice, as Spain once again established themselves at the summit of world football.