As Spain shut in on the nationwide group file of a 29-game unbeaten run, Luis de la Fuente famous how their final defeat, towards Scotland, made the group “higher and stronger”.
Spain haven’t misplaced a aggressive worldwide match (excluding penalty shootouts) since a 2-0 defeat to Scotland in European Championship qualifying in March 2023.
Since then, they’ve gone unbeaten in 28 matches, lifting the European Championship title alongside the way in which.
And, in the event that they keep away from defeat towards Bulgaria on Tuesday, they are going to equal the file set by Vicente del Bosque’s Spain between 2010 and 2013.
Spain can not seal their place in subsequent 12 months’s World Cup in October, however having gained all three of their video games in qualifying to date, they are going to take an enormous step in direction of the finals with a victory in Valladolid.
Requested how the loss to Scotland influenced La Roja’s spectacular run, De la Fuente mentioned: “It was a troublesome expertise, but it surely made us higher and stronger.
“And from an concept, we’ve been constructing a construction. Typically a wall fails. Effectively, it’s changed. Typically, life’s setbacks will let you regain momentum.”
Nonetheless, De la Fuente additionally performed down the likeness of his facet to Del Bosque’s and famous that his most important intention is to maintain Spain bettering.
“We’re completely different groups at completely different occasions. It’s not straightforward to keep up these data,” he added.
SIEMPRE es un placer volver a Valladolid. #VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/gC5IvgcEkS
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 13, 2025
“I’ve by no means spoken to the group about what a victory [on Tuesday] means, as a result of what we’re involved with is qualifying for the World Cup. However our work has at all times been based mostly on taking it step-by-step, match by match.
“Each competitors we’ve needed to compete in. And this stays our mentality. We wish to maintain bettering; it’s the leitmotif of this group, and we wish to be higher.”
Spain might be with out Ferran Torres for the match towards Bulgaria, with the ahead returning to Barcelona after struggling discomfort in his hamstring.
De la Fuente confirmed that he had not suffered a severe damage however disregarded the concept his gamers prioritise their membership over their nation.
“There’s no damage, simply discomfort,” he mentioned of Torres. “We want gamers at 100%, and on this case, Ferran wasn’t at his greatest, which is why he was disregarded of the squad.
“He’s crucial for the long run. He’ll in all probability be at his greatest on Wednesday, however he gained’t be there [on Tuesday].
“Gamers know that the qualitative leap for gamers is to make the nationwide group. After they come, their worth will increase.
“After which, the discomfort and accidents are one other matter. When doubtful, the participant’s well being at all times comes first.”
