World Cup 2026: De La Fuente names four players who helped Spain beat Portugal

Spain caput coach, Luis De La Fuente, has identified 4 players who helped his squad to decision Portugal successful the World Cup Round of 16 brushwood on Monday.

De La Fuente watched arsenic a precocious extremity from Mikel Merino gave Spain a 1-0 triumph against Portugal.

Speaking astatine his post-match interrogation aft the game, the 65-year-old pointed retired the likes of Merino, Ferran Torres, Fabián Ruiz and Borja Iglesias arsenic the players who were decisive for his team’s triumph against Portugal.

“The decisive players were those [Merino, Ferran Torres, Fabián Ruiz and Borja Iglesia] who came disconnected the bench,” De La Fuente said.

“I told Merino helium should play however helium ever does. His relation is to enactment the midfielders and the forwards.

“With him, we were reasoning astir giving the squad the bushed and vigor it needed. The players’ interaction from the seat has been masterful.”

World Cup 2026: De La Fuente names 4 players who helped Spain bushed Portugal