Substitutes make the difference in Spain's World Cup journey

Spain's qualification for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup wasn't solely due to the stars of their starting lineup. The substitutes also played a crucial role in their hard-fought victory against Portugal, proving that a deep squad can be their strongest weapon in the decisive stages of the tournament . While the Spanish team hasn't delivered their most convincing performances since the start of the World Cup, they continue to achieve their goals thanks to the depth of their squad. Their substitutes made the difference in the Round of 16 match against Portugal, scoring the winning goal in stoppage time that secured their place in the quarterfinals . Coach Luis de la Fuente's philosophy is based on the belief that every player on the roster has an important role to play, believing that a substitute can be more influential than a starter . "We can have players on the bench who could be starters for any other national team," the Spanish coach said, emphasizing that "the most important players are those who come off the bench." The match against Portugal proved De la Fuente's vision correct, as three substitutes played a starring role in the winning goal. Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino came on in the 85th minute, replacing Pedri and Dani Olmo, while Ferran Torres had entered ten minutes earlier for Alex Baena . After the referee added time, Barcelona winger Ferran Torres delivered a perfect pass into the penalty area, finding Mikel Merino perfectly positioned behind the Portuguese defense. Merino calmly controlled the ball before slotting it into the net, securing a 1-0 victory for Spain in the 90+1 minute . Merino's goal wasn't just a qualification goal; it also confirmed the value of the player De la Fuente keeps as a trump card. The Spanish coach praised the Arsenal star, saying, "Mikel Merino rarely makes mistakes. He's a constant asset, and in crucial moments, he's always there. He's one of the best players in the world in his position." Despite the importance of Merino, Fabian Ruiz, and Ferran Torres to their clubs, their appearances for the Spanish national team haven't always been guaranteed. This hasn't led to any problems in the dressing room, as the team culture has become firmly established within "La Roja." The abundance of options in the Spanish national team isn't limited to the pitch; it extends to the goalkeeping position, where "La Roja" boasts three goalkeepers capable of competing for the starting spot . Unai Simón, the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper, has maintained his position as the first-choice goalkeeper in the last three major tournaments, having contributed to Spain's victory in Euro 2024 and continuing to keep a clean sheet in the current World Cup . However, the competition remains open, with David Raya's impressive performances for Arsenal, the English Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up, alongside Juan García's outstanding displays for Barcelona, ​​the Spanish champions .