'Great teams are best defensively': Spain revive 2010 blueprint

For the first time since their title-winning run in 2010, Spain are back in the World Cup quarter-finals. And once again, they are doing it with the kind of defensive steel that once carried them to football’s summit. 

Substitute Mikel Merino struck in the 91st minute in Arlington yesterday to give the European champions a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16, ending La Roja’s recent knockout frustrations after penalty shootout exits against Russia in 2018 and Morocco in 2022. 

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For long stretches, it looked as though history might repeat itself. Spain had pressure, control and moments of promise, but Portugal held firm until Merino’s late intervention sent Luis de la Fuente’s side into the last eight. 

“I think the maturity that the team showed today was remarkable, because we were able to read the flow of the game at all times,” said midfielder Rodri. “We wore them down, and we found our opening. It’s true that we had a few chances -- though not many -- but we were able to find the open spaces, and once again Mikel Merino stepped up at crucial moments.” 

The current Spain squad is beginning to carry echoes of Vicente del Bosque’s 2010 side, who registered four consecutive clean sheets in the knockout stage in South Africa -- including, coincidentally, a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16. 

Sixteen years later, De la Fuente's side have yet to concede in five matches in North America. Goalkeeper Unai Simon has now gone 609 consecutive minutes without conceding, setting a new tournament record for the longest shutout streak. 

“Ultimately, I think the great teams and the championship teams are the ones that are the best defensively, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said defender Marc Cucurella. “Not just the defenders and the goalkeeper, but everyone. It’s a team effort: how we press, how we close down passing lanes, how we communicate.” 

But if Spain’s foundation has been defensive control, Lamine Yamal continues to provide the fear factor in attack. 

De la Fuente hailed the 18-year-old’s performance against Portugal as one of the most important of his young career, even if it did not come with a goal. 

“For me, Lamine has played one of the most important matches of his life,” De la Fuente said. “Beyond whether he was brilliant or not, for me it has been one of the matches that will help him grow the most.” 

Yamal arrived at the World Cup managing a troublesome hamstring injury and started Spain’s campaign on the bench as they were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde. He returned to the starting lineup after that and scored once in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. 

Against Portugal, the Barcelona forward had three attempts on goal, including two on target, and helped Spain maintain pressure before Merino’s winner. De la Fuente even suggested the physical toll of trying to stop him may have contributed to Nuno Mendes’ injury in the 56th minute, when the Portugal defender was forced off and replaced by Nelson Semedo. 

“Lamine did a spectacular job. He suffered for the team, he defended for the team. When he had the ball, he always created doubt and uncertainty for the opponent. He generated a lot of fear,” De la Fuente said. 

“We still need Lamine in this World Cup, to keep growing and delivering these kinds of performances,” he added. 

Spain next face Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Saturday.