France lost to 'the best team in the world', says Spain's De la Fuente

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a], who won their first World Cup 16 years ‌ago, neutralised a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] attack that had scored 16 goals before the ‌semi-final and had been regarded as one of the tournament's most dangerous.[/p][p]France ‌did not manage a shot on target until after the 80-minute ‌mark.[/p][embed guid="2f0258be-743c-4f4e-a109-c59b15af0d62" url="https://x.com/OptaJean/status/2077141814696464670?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"The message was that we were up against one of the best teams in the world, but that they were up against the best team in the world," [/b]De ‌la Fuente told a press conference.[/p][p][b]"These players show commitment, ⁠solidarity and talent. They make the ‌difficult look easy. They have talent and the right attitude towards life and sport.[/b][/p][p][b]"I ​see a happy dressing room and a nation behind us. We've recaptured the spirit of 2010. The character of this team ​is evident in the fact that those who didn't play have stayed behind to train after the match."[/b][/p][p]De la Fuente praised a squad he said ⁠had been built on humility, ​shared purpose and the absence of egos, saying Spain's strength came from everyone moving in the same direction.[/p][p][b]"I believe the most important thing is knowing how to choose your travelling companions. If you make the wrong choice of ‌travelling companions, you could end up with a problem," [/b]he said.[/p][p][b]"We know that this team — not just the players, but everyone who makes up the squad — works towards a common goal, with the same enthusiasm, and we are ordinary, generous people who seek the common good before our own individual interests."[/b][/p][embed guid="8ffe74ec-ad47-4fdb-8497-e7b2b281c403" url="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/2077146231965413873?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Spain, who won Euro 2024, have now equalled [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/italy/hlKvieGH/"]Italy[/a]'s record of 37 consecutive unbeaten matches, but De la Fuente said his players still had room to grow.[/p][p][b]"This team never ceases to amaze me. The scope for improvement ‌is endless," [/b]he said. [b]"It was a labour of love, a process. It was ​about reaching the crucial moment in the best possible shape."[/b][/p][p]De la ‌Fuente said he would like to face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] in the final because of his close friendship with manager Lionel Scaloni, while also praising [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] and describing the other semi-final as a match that "could easily be the World Cup final".[/p][p][b]"I don't believe in the idea that finals ⁠are there to be won. They're ⁠there to be enjoyed," [/b]he ‌said. [b]"What's to come could be the icing on the cake."[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/france-QkGeVG1n/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=pU0PQ9nR"]Check out the full match stats here.[/a][/b][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]