FALSE 10a: Sorry seems to be the hardest word, but Spain should hear it from me
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Reading Time: 5min | Sun. 19.07.26. | 17:30
From all of us, doubters of a system-wise philosophy and endless tiki-taka. A loud and clear apology seems deserved ahead of the World Cup final
A day or two before the World Cup kicked off, four of us Mozzart Sport Kenya writers huddled together at our reserve outpost, tossing around our bold predictions. Three of my colleagues, forming an unstoppable majority, were certain Spain would seize the trophy. I cast my lot with France, and as our Nairobi-based team chimed in with their picks for the opening day article, my conviction only grew stronger that everyone else was missing the mark.
Only our editor, Imran, stood with me, and that was all I needed to believe we were the wise few who could see beyond the obvious. Meshack, our sub-editor, and Victor, our social media maestro, happily jumped aboard the Spanish bandwagon, but their choice barely ruffled my confidence.
What a fool I was...
Sure, Spain are the reigning European Champions and UEFA Nations League holders, and yes, their squad is packed with world-class talent. But I needed more to be dazzled. I wanted a Mbappe, a Messi, a Cristiano - someone who could conjure magic when every path to victory was blocked. Someone extraordinary, like Lamine Yamal. Yet it was obvious that the Barcelona prodigy was arriving at this World Cup out of sorts, a shadow of the electrifying force he had been at EURO 2024 or in those unforgettable Barcelona and Champions League nights not so long ago.
Without that "old" Yamal - I thought - Luis de la Fuente's men won't be able to run riot in North America.
How naive I was...
That opening goalless draw with Cabo Verde only deepened my doubts, convincing me that De la Fuente's tactics had lost their spark. La Roja felt like a story I had read too many times, even with Vozinha pulling off some spectacular saves. How could you possibly win the World Cup with that endless, sleep-inducing tiki-taka, passing the ball sideways and back again? How could you dream of glory without a single Real Madrid player in your squad, when Los Blancos practically bleed winning DNA? And how could you join the legends without a true striker, pinning your hopes on a little-known Real Sociedad false 9?
Blimey, it's funny to acknowledge how clueless I was...
But then came the next match - a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia - and suddenly Professor De la Fuente began his masterclass on modern football. Mikel Oyarzabal's double was just the opening chapter, as the unassuming forward became one of the unsung heroes leading Spain's red army toward Sunday's grand finale.
A few days later, Bielsa's Uruguay were handed a one-way ticket home, courtesy of Alex Baena's strike. Another unheralded piece in De la Fuente's intricate chess game stepped into the spotlight, sending a clear message to the world: in this squad, the only true star is the collective. To topple Spain, you do not just outplay a superstar or two - you must outwit the entire machine.
What's more, this Spain is not just a whirlwind in attack but a fortress at the back, unlike some of their predecessors. Before Charles De Ketelaere's quarter-final equaliser, Unai Simon's net remained untouched, and it has stayed that way ever since. Not even mighty France, my own pick for the title, could break through, nor could dazzling talents like Mbappe, Olise, Dembele, or Barcola.
La Roja's defence, anchored by centre-backs Cubarsi and Laporte and flanked by Cucurella and Porro, became an impenetrable wall. Unlike Barcelona's often-criticised backline, this Spanish fortress refused to yield. Suddenly, Cubarsi was no longer the weak link I had feared, but a pillar on the grandest stage.
How little did I know...
And Rodri - what a transformation! Just a couple of months ago, he seemed a faded star, nowhere near Ballon d'Or form. Yet under De la Fuente's guidance, he has blossomed into a leader, the heartbeat of this carefully crafted side. Alongside the unstoppable Dani Olmo, the Manchester City maestro has become a true general, orchestrating play and tormenting opponents with his relentless passing before delivering the killer blow.
And when any link in De la Fuente's chain meets resistance, he turns to his bench of game-changers, led by the ultimate super-sub, Mikel Merino. Slot him into defence, and he is as steady as they come. Place him in midfield, and he orchestrates with precision. Push him forward, and he delivers the decisive goal - just as he did to send Portugal and Belgium packing in consecutive knockout rounds.
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So now, after more than a month and seven matches, I must confess: I was completely wrong about Spain and their potential. That emphatic 2-0 victory over my beloved France was the turning point, teaching me that no matter how many superstars you have (Messi, anyone?), or how glittering your squad may be, it is the strongest team that triumphs. And that is exactly what Luis de la Fuente has forged with La Roja.
As the famous song goes, 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word,' but on the eve of the final, the Spaniards deserve to hear it from me. Sorry, you truly earned it.
By: BOJAN BABIC