Spain coach Luis de la Fuente credited squad depth, collective selflessness, and tactical courage after two bold selection gambles paid off in a 2-1 victory over Belgium that sent the European champions into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals on Friday, 11 July in Los Angeles. The win sets up a blockbuster last-four tie against France on Tuesday.

How Spain Won

Fabian Ruiz, handed a surprise start ahead of the rested Pedri, broke the deadlock to give Spain the lead. Belgium pushed back, but the decisive moment came when second-half substitute Mikel Merino — introduced just two minutes earlier — fired home the winner after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens could only parry a low effort from Pau Cubarsi.

The goal was the third occasion on which Merino has come off the bench to score a match-winner under De la Fuente. He previously netted in the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany in extra time and in the round-of-16 clash against Portugal at this World Cup.

De la Fuente on His Selection Philosophy

De la Fuente acknowledged the difficulty of leaving world-class players on the bench but insisted the squad's culture makes those decisions easier to manage. 'It is not fair that Mikel does not play from the beginning, but it would also not be fair that any other player is left out,' he said. 'Only 11 can start the game, and that is something they all know — the role they have to play in each situation. When they go out on the pitch, they know what they have to do; that is why they are a pleasure to be in charge of.'

He was equally emphatic that Spain's run to the semi-finals belongs to the collective, not to any individual. 'What is important is the team. It does not matter who starts the match. Every one of them is important, even those who have not played,' he said.

The Squad's Character Under the Spotlight

Asked how he keeps a squad of this calibre united amid fierce competition for starting berths, De la Fuente pointed to the character of his players rather than any managerial formula. 'One of the strengths of our team is that we have the best players in the world — which they are — and we also have the best people,' he said. 'Everything we do in life is based on respect, and this is also how this national team works.'

Notably, Spain's ability to produce match-winning contributions from the bench has now been a recurring theme across two major tournaments, a sign of a squad that is genuinely deep rather than merely large in number.

What's Next: Spain vs France

Spain will face tournament favourites France on Tuesday for a place in the World Cup final. De la Fuente was measured in his assessment of the challenge ahead. 'France have demonstrated some extraordinary potential, some unique potential, as we have done too. It is a very open match, which will need players who are fresh and with energy … But since we are here, we are going to do our best,' he said.

The semi-final represents Spain's latest step in what is shaping up as one of the most tactically coherent and collectively driven campaigns of this World Cup.