CORNERFLICK
Luis de la Fuente has told Spain to stay true to their own approach ahead of the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Spain head coach said his side would suffer if they drifted away from their ideas and model of play.
He also pointed to Lionel Messi as the main threat, recalling a spell when he coached Sevilla and the club assigned one player to mark the forward. De la Fuente said the game was goalless until that marker was substituted, after which Messi scored four times.
De la Fuente said Argentina have learned how to handle different competitions and adapt their route through tournaments, while adding that he and Lionel Scaloni share some similar views. Spain, he said, must impose their style.
He also said Lamine Yamal was fine and that all of Spain’s players trained normally. De la Fuente added that he wants the squad to enjoy the occasion, keep calm and focus on winning. Asked about nerves, he joked that his only anxiety came from the helicopter ride back to the hotel.