Luis de la Fuente Takes Spain to New Heights with 31-Game Unbeaten Streak
Luis de la Fuente has led Spain to a 31-game unbeaten streak, winning the 2023 Nations League and EURO 2024, and is now favorite to win the World Cup with a talented squad, including Lamine Yamal, who finished second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards with 12 goals in 10 games.
Introduction to Luis de la Fuente's Spain
Luis de la Fuente took over the Spanish national team in 2022 after a disappointing World Cup, and since then, he has shown his coaching ability, leading the team to the final of every tournament, including winning the 2023 Nations League and EURO 2024. As reported by [Barca Blaugranes](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/game-changers-2026/121624/luis-de-la-fuente-has-taken-spain-back-to-the-pinnacle), De la Fuente's team has not lost a competitive match in regulation since March 2023 and is on a 31-game unbeaten streak.
De la Fuente's Coaching Style
De la Fuente has added variety and dynamism to the traditional Spanish possession-based attacking football, making the team more intense, with a counter-attacking edge. The team still wants to dominate the ball and create chances with good possession work but can also retreat when necessary and use the pace and skill of their wingers to devastating effects.
Key Players
The team has a number of key players, including Lamine Yamal, who has been described as 'touched by the magic wand of God' by De la Fuente, and Mikel Merino and Pedri, who have become huge weapons in midfield with their ability to control the pace and add scoring power in the box. The team's willingness to press in an organized fashion allows their defense to stay solid and in good structure.
World Cup Expectations
Spain arrives in America as one of the favorites to win the World Cup, given their tournament success under De la Fuente and the immense quality and depth in all areas of the team. The team has a great system, and a number of players with the individual quality required to decide matches. Even the lack of a world-class number nine doesn't hurt their ability to score goals, with Mikel Oyarzabal more than capable of leading the line.
Potential Challenges
There are questions about Lamine Yamal's fitness due to a hamstring injury suffered at the end of Barcelona's season, but Spain is more than good enough to get through the group stage without having to rely on their best player. Yamal is expected to be fully fit for the knockout rounds, and Spain will be favorites if that's the case.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Luis de la Fuente has taken Spain back to the pinnacle of football, leading the team to a 31-game unbeaten streak and winning the 2023 Nations League and EURO 2024. With a talented squad, including Lamine Yamal, Spain is one of the favorites to win the World Cup. De la Fuente's coaching ability and the team's great system make them a formidable opponent, and it would be a big surprise not to see them make it to at least the semi-finals and have a legitimate chance to win it all. Some of the key points to consider are: De la Fuente's coaching style has added variety and dynamism to the traditional Spanish possession-based attacking football The team has a number of key players, including Lamine Yamal, Mikel Merino, and Pedri Spain arrives in America as one of the favorites to win the World Cup The team has a great system, and a number of players with the individual quality required to decide matches