De la Fuente on 2022 World Cup Loss to Morocco: "You Can Lose Despite Being Superior to Your Opponent"

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente affirmed that the defeat to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup served as a crucial lesson for his team, despite their significant dominance not translating into a positive outcome.

Speaking in an interview with 'Sport' newspaper, De la Fuente stated: 'The history of football is full of such instances; you can win without a great performance, or lose despite outplaying your opponent. The most crucial aspect is to maintain balance throughout the match.'

He added: 'You must control the pace of play and recognize that sometimes the opponent might exert pressure and create dangerous opportunities, especially in modern football which relies on rapid transitions. We have players capable of adapting to various styles.'

Spain had been eliminated from the 2022 World Cup Round of 16 by Morocco. The match ended in a goalless draw after regular and extra time, with the 'Atlas Lions' ultimately securing their progression with a 3-0 victory in the penalty shootout.