Why Spain Are Once Again the Benchmark of World Football

October 17, 2025 | 05:01 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Georgia coach Willy Sagnol praised Spain’s extraordinary performance after his team fell 0–2 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium on October 12.

“Spain don't just play on another world, they play from a different universe,” said the former French international and Bayern Munich defender after the match.

Sagnol’s comment reflects Spain’s overwhelming dominance under coach Luis de la Fuente. With victories over Georgia and Bulgaria in their last two matches, La Roja have equaled their all-time record of 29 competitive games unbeaten, a milestone previously held by Spain’s golden generation of Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, and David Villa.

What impressed Sagnol most was Spain’s ability to achieve this feat despite missing several key players, including Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Álvaro Morata, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and David de Gea. Yet, Spain maintained complete control and efficiency throughout their matches.

ESPN football analyst Mark Ogden noted that few, if any, nations could lose so many star players and still dominate. “Perhaps none,” he said.

For Sagnol, Spain’s success—currently the world’s No. 1 team according to FIFA—is no coincidence. “In the 1980s and 1990s, they played well but didn’t win anything. Now they’re reaping the results of 25 years of planning and youth development,” said the coach who led France to the 2026 World Cup final.

Since the early 2000s, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has implemented a centralized youth development program. Each year, around 55 of the country’s best 14–15-year-olds are selected for tactical and technical training under a unified philosophy.

RFEF’s youth program coordinator, Gines Melendez, explained, “From ages 15 to 21, they’re trained the same way. Spanish football is defined by discipline and intelligence.”

The results are clear. Over the past four years, Spain reached the Euro 2021 semifinals, the UEFA Nations League 2021 final, the 2022 World Cup round of 16, and won both the UEFA Nations League 2023 and Euro 2024.

They also claimed Olympic silver in 2021 and gold in 2024. This year, La Roja have returned to the UEFA Nations League final.

During his tenure, De la Fuente has used 63 players, mostly academy products once considered untested but now central to the national team. Former Spanish midfielder Juan Mata said De la Fuente’s familiarity with his players is a major advantage.

“He knows most of them from their youth careers. This team isn’t just built for today—it’s built for the future,” Mata told BBC Sport.

Playing with Intelligence

For Sagnol, Spain’s strength lies not in physique but in intelligence. He highlighted Barcelona midfielder Pedri as a prime example. “He looks like a kid, but he’s brilliant, creating space, dictating rhythm, and doing everything for the team,” he said.

Bulgarian midfielder Ilia Gruev echoed that sentiment after his team’s 0–4 loss. “It’s impossible to get close to them. They move the ball too fast. You defend constantly just to catch your breath,” he said.

Spain’s collective spirit also stands out. Against Bulgaria, Mikel Merino, on a hat-trick, passed up a penalty to let teammate Mikel Oyarzabal take it. “It’s about togetherness. We’re like a family,” Merino said after the match.

Currently, Spain lead Group E with four wins from four matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding none. “Spain and Portugal are the two football models right now that every other country should be looking to learn from and copy.,” Sagnol concluded.

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