Luis de la Fuente Makes History As Spain Reach 2026 World Cup Final
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has etched his name into the history books after leading La Roja to a 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed Spain's place in their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010.
According to football statistics platform Stat Foot, De la Fuente has become the first coach in history to remain unbeaten through his first 14 matches at major international tournaments (FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship combined) while managing a European national team.
The remarkable record stands at 13 wins and one draw, stretching from Spain's triumphant UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, where they won all seven matches, to their current World Cup run, in which they have recorded six wins and one draw.
The 65-year-old has the opportunity to extend that historic unbeaten streak when Spain face either Argentina or England in Sunday's World Cup final.
De la Fuente began his coaching career with Portugalete before managing Aurrerá de Vitoria and later working in the youth setup at Athletic Club. He also had a brief spell as head coach of Alavés.
In 2013, he joined the Spanish Football Federation, where he enjoyed significant success with the country's youth teams. He guided Spain's Under-19 side to the 2015 UEFA European Championship title and the Under-21 team to the 2019 European crown. He also led Spain to a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Promoted to the senior national team in 2022, De la Fuente has since won the 2023 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024, and now has Spain one victory away from another World Cup triumph.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed Spain's place in their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010.
According to football statistics platform Stat Foot, De la Fuente has become the first coach in history to remain unbeaten through his first 14 matches at major international tournaments (FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship combined) while managing a European national team.
The remarkable record stands at 13 wins and one draw, stretching from Spain's triumphant UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, where they won all seven matches, to their current World Cup run, in which they have recorded six wins and one draw.
The 65-year-old has the opportunity to extend that historic unbeaten streak when Spain face either Argentina or England in Sunday's World Cup final.
De la Fuente began his coaching career with Portugalete before managing Aurrerá de Vitoria and later working in the youth setup at Athletic Club. He also had a brief spell as head coach of Alavés.
In 2013, he joined the Spanish Football Federation, where he enjoyed significant success with the country's youth teams. He guided Spain's Under-19 side to the 2015 UEFA European Championship title and the Under-21 team to the 2019 European crown. He also led Spain to a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Promoted to the senior national team in 2022, De la Fuente has since won the 2023 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024, and now has Spain one victory away from another World Cup triumph.
