Spain's right side was De la Fuente's answer to Nuno Mendes
09 July 2026
Luis de la Fuente told Spain’s right side to attack Nuno Mendes’ lane. Mendes still slowed Lamine Yamal until his 56th-minute injury, after which Spain’s right-side threat grew and Mikel Merino scored the 91st-minute winner.
In a pre-match press conference, the first question framed Portugal’s left as Spain’s selection problem. 1 Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leão could make De la Fuente change his right-back after Spain’s previous win over Austria. De la Fuente moved the burden back onto Portugal.
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