Luis de la Fuente, the head coach of the Spanish national team, expressed his great satisfaction with the thrilling 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, stressing that his players' character was the main factor in securing the ticket to the semi-finals.

De la Fuente said in statements to the Spanish channel 'La1' after the match: 'This is the team's character in all circumstances. I am very proud to lead a group that has a constant desire to improve, and I believe we deserved the win, but we must also realize how difficult it is to achieve victories in such matches.'

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The Spanish coach praised Mikel Merino, the scorer of the decisive winning goal in the 88th minute, stressing that he is a world-class player, saying: 'Merino has exceptional abilities and can play in any team in the world, and we are lucky to have him with us because he always proves his presence in crucial moments.' Regarding the upcoming clash against France in the semi-finals, De la Fuente stressed his confidence in his country's team's abilities, confirming that the opponent has the same level of respect for Spain. He added: 'We will give everything we have to win. I think France fears us as much as we fear them. We are the only team that has managed to defeat them in two consecutive matches, and it will be a clash between two great teams, each aspiring to reach the final.'