Luis de la Fuente acknowledged his team's excellent first-half display that secured Spain's comfortable 3-0 away victory against Bulgaria in their World Cup 2026 qualifying match. The Spanish side scored all three goals before halftime, effectively settling the contest early.
"We had a very good first half to secure the result. But in the second half, we were focused on continuing to improve and grow, although our opponent's pace affected us," de la Fuente explained after the match.
The Spanish coach seemed somewhat dissatisfied with his team's second-half performance despite the convincing scoreline. He mentioned they could have drawn more positive conclusions from the game but was ultimately pleased that all players finished the match without injuries.
De la Fuente also shed light on his squad rotation decisions, particularly highlighting the return of key players to the lineup.
"Our goal was to bring back Rodri and Carvajal. They weren't just put on the field for no reason, but because they deserve it. We're satisfied with everyone's contribution—both those who played and those who didn't: Fermin, Ferran, Dani Olmo."
Interestingly, despite the dominant scoreline, the coach revealed that players themselves were disappointed with their second-half showing—a sign of the high standards within the squad. Talk about a demanding bunch!
Looking ahead to their upcoming fixture, de la Fuente expects a tougher challenge from Turkey.
"For us, the match against Turkey will be at a slightly higher level and will require more effort. We must constantly improve, and we strive for that. That's how it will be on Sunday. It's very important to be self-critical," the coach emphasized.
Can Spain maintain their momentum against a stronger Turkish side? De la Fuente certainly seems determined to ensure his team doesn't rest on its laurels after this commanding victory.
