Ahead of Spain’s 2026 World Cup match against Argentina, head coach Luis De la Fuente has reflected on his previous history with Lionel Messi. During his time managing Sevilla, De la Fuente experienced firsthand the lethal nature of the Argentine star when Barcelona netted four goals within a fifteen-minute span against his side.
De la Fuente recalled that the defensive structure crumbled immediately after a player tasked with marking Messi received a caution, allowing Barcelona to dominate the scoreline. As the Spanish squad prepares to face Argentina this Sunday, the coach remains wary of the threat posed by Messi, who has already accumulated eight goals during this tournament.
While Argentina continues their journey toward the final, public scrutiny surrounds their path, particularly regarding officiating. Recent discussions have highlighted a missed red card for Messi during the opening victory against Algeria, fueling speculation regarding a favorable route for the South American side.
