Spain vs Portugal: De la Fuente Studies Nations League Defeat Ahead of World Cup Last-16

Spain likened to 2010 champions as De la Fuente plots Portugal revenge

After topping their group and beating Austria, Spain face Portugal again. De la Fuente is studying the Nations League final to turn the tables.

De la Fuente watches 2025 Nations League final for clues to beat Portugal...

Luis de la Fuente went back over Spain’s UEFA Nations League defeat to Portugal from last week. He’s hoping to find answers that can help La Roja get revenge in Monday’s World Cup last-16 tie at Dallas Stadium.

Portugal claimed the 2025 Nations League after a 2-2 draw and penalty shootout win in Munich. Now the two sides meet again in the World Cup knockouts, with Spain aiming to settle the score.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who the Spain coach called “a genius,” was one of Portugal's scorers in the most recent meeting between the teams and De la Fuente conceded the 41-year-old remained a threat to his side's hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Spain's progress through the tournament so far, which saw them top their group before defeating Austria in the last 32, has prompted De la Fuente's side to be likened to the team that won the title ‌in South Africa in 2010.

“As a footballer he is ‌someone you have to take care of, he can change a game in the moment,” said De la Fuente.

“It's not that we have to do man-to-man marking, but in certain areas we have to be aware he's there.

“Cristiano has quality and class and in any moment he can be decisive. I would prefer if he didn't play, of course, but I think he will.”

After topping their group and beating Austria in the round of 32, Spain’s run so far has drawn comparisons to the 2010 World Cup winners. De la Fuente’s team is now being compared to the side that lifted the trophy in South Africa.

“To think that we might be compared to a squad from the past really makes me proud,” he said.

“That was a spectacular team, ‌a brilliant team. My players, no one is giving them anything for free.

“We are on our way and, whether we win the title or not, it's a very challenging thing to do.

“We have footballers who have a whole career ahead of them, they're just at the start of this. Recognition is given ⁠for titles, for championships and these players ⁠are always going to be in ‌the fight for those.

“Whether they win this, that's challenging to predict.”