De la Fuente hails example Spain after World Cup win: I cant really tell you how I feel

Luis de la Fuente was lost for words and swimming in pride after Spain were crowned world champions for the second time in their history, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to complete the greatest double in the sport. Ferran Torres settled one of the finest World Cup finals in recent memory with a close-range finish in the 106th minute, arriving to convert after Nico Williams had pulled a cross back into the box.It was a goal that ended a contest Argentina had somehow kept goalless for 90 minutes through the extraordinary brilliance of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who made 11 saves to break the World Cup final record and single-handedly keep the defending champions alive long after Spains domination had suggested the result was inevitable.Argentinas resistance finally crumbled deep into stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Pau Cubarsi, reducing Lionel Scalonis side to ten men for extra time. From that moment, Spains eventual victory felt only a matter of when rather than if. Torres provided the answer 37 seconds into the second period of extra time.The result means Spain have now won the European Championship and the World Cup in successive summers under De la Fuente, who took the job in 2022 with, as he put it in his semi-final press conference, an idea, a philosophy that has taken the nation to the summit of world football.Speaking after the final whistle, the Spain manager could barely contain his emotion.So much pride. Pride for this generation of footballers that have been growing with this idea, staying loyal to the idea, and doing their best, he said. They are an example of a team, a group, a family, and a collective of great players that have been exceptional. Im just so proud to have accompanied them on this journey, to have been there with them on this trajectory is an honour.I cant really tell you how I feel. All I can say was it was worth it. Of course at the moment I am very emotional, particularly having watched from behind the scenes. I have spoken so much to the players, who said to me, Boss, weve won it all, and its marvellous. This generation of players is an example for Spanish sport, for the Spanish youth. Together we are much stronger, and that is why we dont forget anyone.We like to sufferDe la Fuente acknowledged that even with that level of dominance and with Argentina reduced to ten men, the night had demanded everything Spain had.Of course we would have liked to win the game much sooner. The Martinez save prevented us from doing so. We tried and tried to get on the scoresheet but werent able to, but this is a World Cup final, even against ten men at the end we had to suffer. But, we like to suffer, and Ill say it again, we were prepared for everything. Topics Spain National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Ferran Torres confesses Lionel Messi nervousness before World Cup final 2026: The goal belonged to 47 million Ben Miller 19th July, 2026 Spain 1-0 Argentina: Report, result and goals as La Roja down Messi to claim second World Cup title Mitch Fretton 19th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Spain v Argentina live text commentary, updates, goals and stats as it happened Jon Fisher 19th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Spain vs Argentina confirmed teams and full line ups as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal meet, TV channel, online stream and stats Tom Rostance 19th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Spain vs Argentina begins with Tom Cruise saying football brought the world together in front of US president Donald Trump Ben Miller 19th July, 2026 What time is the World Cup final 2026 halftime show? Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS confirmed start time and where to watch full show on TV and live online stream Ben Miller 19th July, 2026