De la Fuente says Spain's midfield 'almost at the same level' as 2010 World Cup winners

Luis de la Fuente believes Spain have the best midfield in the world, saying their current unit is "almost on the same level" as the one that won the World Cup in 2010.

Spain are preparing to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in a monumental round-of-16 tie in Dallas on Monday, after easing past Austria by a 3-0 scoreline in the last 32.

The teams have met five times previously at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) with three of those meetings ending level (one win each). 

That includes their most recent clash, which ended 3-3 at the 2018 World Cup, as well as their most recent in the knockout phase, a goalless draw in the Euro 2012 semi-finals that led to Spain winning on penalties.

With Paris Saint-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves lining up alongside Bruno Fernandes, many believe Portugal possess the tournament's outstanding midfield.

But De la Fuente believes Spain's midfield takes some beating, comparing them to the 2010 side that won the World Cup with Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta dominating possession. Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata and David Silva were also in that squad but did not start against the Netherlands in the final.

"Well, they're two great midfields," De la Fuente said in an interview with The Guardian, when asked to compare the 2010 and 2026 vintages. 

"In my opinion, and I say this with the greatest of respect to everyone, we have the best midfield in the world. 

"We have two players per position who are the best players. I can list them: Rodri, [Martin] Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, [Dani] Olmo, [Mikel] Merino, [Alex] Baena, Gavi, Fermin [Lopez], who isn't here... I have probably left someone out and they will get angry!

"That was an extraordinary midfield as well [in 2010], it's true. Football changes, but I would put us at almost the same level."

Pedri has completed more passes in the final third (122) than any other player at this World Cup, while his figure of 1.54 expected assists (xA) is the best of any Roja player.

Asked what makes the Barcelona star special, De la Fuente said: "He's a magician. It's about quality, talent, technical ability. 

"I had a teacher at school who told us that the definition of talent is completing tasks of maximum difficulty without apparent effort. That is technique. Pedri is a maestro in that. 

"He does things that are extremely difficult and it seems easy. Very few people can do that. He plays with an astonishing ease. He sees passes the rest of us don't see. That's something geniuses have."

But if Spain are to progress to the quarter-finals, they must deal with Ronaldo, who finally ended his long wait for a World Cup knockout-stage goal against Croatia in the last 32.

The 41-year-old has seen his place in the team questioned throughout this tournament, and he only had one touch in the area versus Croatia, which was his successful penalty to get Portugal level in the second half.  

But Spain's Gavi believes that criticism is unwarranted, telling Mundo Deportivo: "I always hear that, but from people who are not on his team, from fans. 

"Those who are on his team will have magnificent respect for him. Obviously, Cristiano is one of the best players in history, and he can make the difference at any moment.

"They're a great team with good players. I hope the team is focused on what we have to do, on the coach's plan, and that we will all work together to win this tie."