The emotional afterglow of Spain's World Cup victory still lingers in the country, and Luis de la Fuente seized the opportunity to speak out about what he considers inadmissible behaviour by Argentina following their defeat. The coach appeared on Thursday, 23 July, on TVE alongside the trophy to recall the details of a final that will be etched in the memory of all supporters.

"It is something intolerable": De la Fuente's harshest words

According to diezminutos.es, De la Fuente was forceful when referring to the attitude of Argentine players and coaching staff after their 1-0 defeat at MetLife in New Jersey. "At that moment I didn't notice, I was celebrating. In any case, it is something intolerable, inadmissible, it cannot be allowed," the coach expressed with unusual harshness in his words.

The coach did not hesitate to point out that footballers of Argentina's calibre, managed by a "great coach", should maintain basic standards of sportsmanship. Although he acknowledged he was absorbed in celebrating the triumph, his criticism was clear: "Our players always conducted themselves as good sportsmen," De la Fuente stated, implicitly contrasting the exemplary attitude of his men against the provocations.

A goal in the 106th minute that changed history

Ferran Torres was the hero in the 106th minute, collecting a loose ball in the area that Nico Williams had sent back after a cross from Pedro Porro that had gone slightly too far. That goal gave Spain the second world star, 16 years after the first, in a final that epitomised this team's philosophy: solidarity, discipline and collective play.

For De la Fuente, this trophy represents far more than statistics. "The greatest pride for a coach is being your country's manager," he confessed on the show, after accumulating 52 days of concentration from Las Rozas to the final. Intense weeks that have left their mark on the coach and the project he leads.

Lamine Yamal and the promise of a golden future

De la Fuente also had special words for Lamine Yamal, who has experienced first-hand the sacrifice required by a World Cup. "This tournament has had to serve him to understand that other side of football, of making sacrifices for the team's benefit, of being very supportive," the coach explained, envisioning a bright future: "That will make him greater, it will make him a better player in the future, for sure".

"United as we are, we are stronger"

The message that De la Fuente has championed as a banner throughout this 2026 World Cup sums up his project's philosophy: unity as strength. For the coach, the key to success has been precisely that permanent cohesion, which goes beyond purely professional matters and has enabled the team to maintain composure in the face of any adversity.

What happened at MetLife in New Jersey after the final whistle contrasts even more sharply with that exemplary behaviour. While others lost their composure, Spain remained dignified, demonstrating that being champions is not just a matter of goals, but of character.