Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lauds Mikel Merino after Euro 2024 quarter‑final win

Luis de la Fuente, the Spain national team coach, emphasized that success comes from merit rather than luck, saying “there is no luck in work” and that players must earn their place. He highlighted the decisive role of midfielder Mikel Merino, who scored the winning goal against Portugal to send Spain into the Euro 2024 quarter‑finals. De la Fuente noted his tactical changes during the match, praising the contributions of Ferran, Fabián and Merino. With 45 matches in charge, the coach has overseen an unbeaten run of 35 games, second only to Italy’s record. The victory extends Spain’s strong defensive record, with goalkeeper Unai Simón maintaining a long clean‑sheet streak. De la Fuente credited the team’s resilience and the motivating effect of media criticism on the players.