Before the first World Cup semifinal, it was easy to jump on the bandwagon of those who saw France as the favorite. No one underestimated Spain, far from it, but Deschamps’ team was the one leaving the best impressions in the tournament, without a doubt. Four top-level forwards placed them as the best attacking team. “We are facing the best team…”, De la Fuente began telling his players in the locker room, before they went out to warm up at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. It was only a prelude to the message he wanted to convey, the concept that is leading him to success. “… But we are the best team,” he concluded to energize the players before attempting what would become an overwhelming storming of the Bastille. July 14 will also be a national holiday in Spain because it opened the way to fight for the red team’s second star.

It is not common for a Real Madrid footballer to give interviews to La Vanguardia, but the World Cup final has aligned the stars, creating the perfect setting. Before playing the most important match of his career, Marc Cucurella (Alella, 1998) arrives very punctually for his appointment. He seems a bit wary at first but soon realizes he is not on the firing line and flashes his first smiles. He is approachable and kind. And he does not hide from anything.

For the second time in its history Spain