Spain Defeats Argentina at the 2026 World Cup Final
In 2015, however, he found a path to success that he has hardly strayed from since: on his third attempt, he lifted the U-19 European Championship title after a 2-0 victory over Russia in the final played in Katerini (Greece), with a squad that included Rodri and Mikel Merino, as well as Unai Simón as the backup goalkeeper. The first two, who have since become mainstays in his midfield, arrived at this latest World Cup under similar circumstances, having suffered and overcome serious injuries and without enough playing time to regain their form. De la Fuente not only waited for them—in Merino’s case, until the very last moment, though as the coach said, “if it had been necessary, I would have gone to pick up Mikel from his house in my arms”—but he also placed his full trust in both of them (especially in Rodri, who has started every match). And they, despite not performing as hoped in the group stage and even facing criticism, have more than repaid that trust: the Manchester City player …
