Marc Cucurella highly praised Spain's defense after the team won its second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday by defeating Argentina 1-0.
The victory was secured by a goal from substitute Ferran Torres in the second period of extra time, allowing Spain to overcome the ten-man Argentine side at MetLife Stadium. The team managed by Luis de la Fuente conceded only one goal in eight matches during the 2026 tournament, which is the lowest figure among all World Cup winning teams.
Belgium was the only team that managed to break through the Spanish defense in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles.
Cucurella noted that the lack of goals conceded significantly eases the path to victory. He also emphasized that the success is the result of collective effort, not just the merit of the defenders and goalkeeper. In his opinion, the key factor was that the players attacked and defended together, making necessary sacrifices.
The 27-year-old left-back added that now the team, which also won the World Cup in 2010, should relax and enjoy the moment. He stated that after fifty days of preparation in camp, it was time to celebrate and recall all the moments.
Luis de la Fuente expressed deep pride in his players after winning the championship title. He noted that he is particularly proud of this generation of footballers, who demonstrate a unity similar to a family. De la Fuente called these players exceptionally talented and felt honored to accompany them on this journey.
The coach, who previously led the team to victory at Euro 2024, added that he is very moved looking back. He concluded that they have achieved everything, and that is wonderful because this generation of footballers is a source of pride for Spain, and together they are stronger.
The return of Aimeryc Laporte to the international arena became a key factor in Spain's preservation of its historic defensive record at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spain defeated Portugal 1-0, securing their place in the tournament quarterfinals.
After Portugal was eliminated from the group stage in the Round of 16, while Cristiano Ronaldo left the field in tears, Laporte demonstrated joy, helping Spain reach the quarterfinals and extending one of the tournament's most outstanding defensive records.
Laporte spent two years at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia with Ronaldo, from 2023 to 2025, before returning to Athletic, where he began his professional career. His move to Saudi Arabia had negative consequences for his international status, as Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente excluded the central defender from the national team, questioning whether the level of competition in the Saudi league provided sufficient preparation for international football.
Laporte's return to Athletic followed lengthy negotiations between the clubs and was only finalized after FIFA intervened due to an administrative error by Al-Nassr on the last day of the transfer window. Although the 31-year-old player initially struggled to regain full physical condition and seemed unprepared for matches after returning to La Liga, his positional awareness, composure on the ball, and ability to read the game gradually restored his form, leading to his inclusion in the squad by De la Fuente's decision.
This decision proved successful at the World Cup. Laporte started every match, forming an increasingly confident partnership with young defender Pau Cubarsí in the center of the Spanish defense. Spain remains the only team that has not conceded a goal in the tournament so far, allowing goalkeeper Unai Simón to extend his record in final tournament matches for minutes without conceding, reaching 609 minutes. Furthermore, Laporte influenced ball possession, completing about 90% of his passes overall and 85% of them in the opponent's half, contributing to building attacks from defense while maintaining defensive solidity.
In the match against Portugal, Laporte and Cubarsí significantly limited Ronaldo's opportunities. The legendary forward managed only 19 touches throughout the match, with only three inside the penalty area, as the Spanish defenders kept the five-time Ballon d'Or winner away from attention.
Spain's defensive record was built through collective efforts, but the balance provided by Cubarsí's athleticism and Laporte's experience became a central element of the team's success. As the World Cup neared its end for Ronaldo, Laporte's resurgence continued as Spain remained a strong contender for the title.
