There are coaches who fear the semi-final, and then there is Luis de la Fuente, for whom the semi-final is a habitat as natural as the sea is to a shark. His record in semi-finals against France reads like a declaration of tactical supremacy: five previous encounters, four victories, one defeat. This extraordinary record is not merely a coaching curiosity — it is a reflection of the institutional quality that has earned Spain their World No. 3 ranking and their place among the elite four.
De la Fuente's approach to big matches is built on a philosophy that has become synonymous with Spanish football: control. Whether managing the senior national team or the youth sides that first established his reputation, De la Fuente has consistently prioritised possession, positional discipline, and the gradual wearing down of opponents. His semi-final record against France — including victories at youth level and the senior EURO 2024 triumph — reflects a coach who understands how to impose his team's identity on the most demanding occasions.
The upcoming Dallas semi-final will be the latest chapter in this tactical rivalry, and De la Fuente's approach will be shaped by the lessons of previous encounters. His EURO 2024 victory was built on a defensive discipline that frustrated France's attacking ambitions before Spain struck with devastating efficiency. His Nations League defeat — a chaotic 5-4 loss in Stuttgart — provided a different lesson: that even the best tactical plans can be undone when a match descends into chaos.
What distinguishes De la Fuente from coaches whose teams have fallen short is his capacity to learn from setbacks and adapt. The Spain team that arrives in Dallas is more balanced, more resilient, and more versatile than the one that lost in Stuttgart. Rodri's command of midfield, Pau Cubarsi's composure in defence, and Lamine Yamal's creative genius provide De la Fuente with the tools to execute his tactical vision. His semi-final record is not an accident of fortune — it is the product of a coaching philosophy that wins when the stakes are highest.
The nemesis knows his prey. De la Fuente has faced France in five semi-finals and walked away victorious four times, and in Dallas, he will attempt to make it five — because the semi-final is where he lives, and where his opponents learn to fear.
