Luis de la Fuente Conquers the World in His 50th Match

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final against Argentina did more than crown Spain world champions.

It also marked a historic milestone for Luis de la Fuente, who celebrated his 50th match as Spain head coach on the biggest stage of all, adding another chapter to an extraordinary journey that began in the most unexpected of circumstances.

His first match in charge of the senior national team came on 8 June 2021, while he was still Spain Under-21 coach. On that occasion, he was called upon to lead the side against Lithuania after Luis Enrique's squad was forced into isolation following a positive COVID-19 case. Spain won 4-0 in Leganés, producing an impressive display.

De la Fuente was officially appointed Spain head coach in December 2022, but his competitive tenure began on 25 March 2023 with a 3-0 victory over Norway in Málaga.

Since then, the Riojan has overseen one of the most successful periods in Spanish football history. Under his leadership, La Roja won the 2023 UEFA Nations League, lifted the UEFA EURO 2024 trophy and has now guided Spain to a second FIFA World Cup title after defeating Argentina in the final.

Victory in his 50th match also allowed De la Fuente to achieve another remarkable milestone.

With 38 wins from his first 50 matches, he boasts a 78% win rate—the highest in the history of the Spain national team, equalling the record set by Vicente del Bosque, the coach who led Spain to their first FIFA World Cup triumph in 2010.

In little more than three years, Luis de la Fuente has transformed an immensely talented generation into both European and world champions.

Alongside the group of players he affectionately calls his "family," he has completed a remarkable journey—from Spain's youth teams to the very summit of world football.