Without a sparkling performance, as has been the case since the start of the World Cup, La Roja, which possesses remarkable depth on the bench, relied on its substitutes to eliminate Portugal in the round of 16 in the final minutes of the match.

Coach Luis de la Fuente said: 'We can have players on the bench who could be starters for any other team,' referring to his ideal management of his players.

In his opinion, 'the most important players are those who come off the bench.'

This was no coincidence, as the three substitutes on Monday in Dallas were involved in the goal that gave Spain a ticket to the quarterfinals: Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino, who came on in the 85th minute for Pedri and Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres, who replaced Álex Baena ten minutes earlier.

The referee had just announced stoppage time when the Barcelona winger delivered a precise pass into the box towards the Arsenal player who had broken behind the Portuguese defense and showed great composure to beat Diogo Costa.

The coach praised the Arsenal player, saying: 'Mikel Merino rarely makes mistakes, he is a constant value. And in decisive moments, he is always present. He is one of the best players in the world in his position,' noting that he had only played about 130 minutes in four matches before this round.

Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Merino (Arsenal), and Ferran (Barcelona), who have had a very quiet tournament so far, are starters at their clubs when they are not returning from injury, as happened this season with the first two (knee and foot).

But not being included in La Roja by de la Fuente does not seem to be a problem for them, whereas it might be in other teams.

Ruiz told AFP last week: 'Coming to the national team is an honor. I am capable of playing the role the coach asks of me, both on and off the pitch. It's true that I have played three matches, two as a substitute, but I believe that here there are no substitutes or starters; we are one team. What matters is winning, it is the team.'

He added: 'As you know, we have 26 very good players, and any of them can play. My role now is to support my teammates and help them, and try to give my best so that I am ready when the coach asks me to play.'

The goalkeeping position perfectly exemplifies Spain's abundance of options: three keepers who could be starters without creating tension, as evidenced by the positive training atmosphere and successive statements.

Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao) has been the first-choice goalkeeper in the last three major tournaments, especially when La Roja won the 2024 European Championship. He remains so in the United States, without conceding a goal.

But his colleagues are also capable of strongly competing for his position. David Raya had a brilliant season with Arsenal, champions of the English Premier League and runners-up in the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain (1-1, 4-3 on penalties). Joan García also stood out with Barcelona, champions of Spain.

Raya said: 'Competition makes us better every day. We live with this naturally. It is a pride to work with these great goalkeepers,' adding that he is 'here to help the team as much as possible and to win the second star.'