De la Fuente: We Delivered a Near-Perfect Match, Ready for Whoever Deserves to Advance

Luis de la Fuente, the head coach of the Spanish national team, praised his players' performance following their 3-0 victory over Austria, which secured their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. He emphasized that the team delivered a near-perfect match but is still striving for improvement.

In his post-match comments, De la Fuente stated: "Great teams show up when they are needed the most. We were attentive to what happened in previous matches and delivered a performance close to perfection in all aspects, but we must continue to improve."

He added: "There are always areas for development. The Round of 16 will be more challenging, and our mentality is based on continuous improvement; the team always demands more."

The Spanish coach also praised his striker Mikel Oyarzabal, saying: "He has once again proven the great potential he possesses and deserves all the praise, as all the players delivered an exceptional match."

Regarding the identity of the next opponent, whether Portugal or Croatia, De la Fuente concluded his remarks by saying: "We know both teams well, and whoever advances will have deserved it."