Luis de la Fuente remained optimistic despite Spain's Nations League final defeat and believes they will "go far in the future".
Spain led twice against Portugal on Sunday, through Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal, but they were pegged back by Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo at 2-2 in normal time.
They were then beaten 5-3 on penalties, with Alvaro Morata's spot-kick saved by Diogo Costa, while Portugal remained perfect from 12 yards.
Spain scored 25 goals in 10 matches in the 2024-25 Nations League, the most goals scored by any team in a single edition of the men's tournament.
And De la Fuente believes there were a lot of positives for Spain to take as they start looking forward to next year's World Cup.
"In my opinion, whoever wins is always a fair winner. And, we lost to a great team," De la Fuente said.
"From this very moment, we are already thinking about the next World Cup, which is our goal. With the way we approach things, we are sure to go far in the future.
"Our team is always in a position to win, there is a lot of commitment, a lot of roots. We will always be close to winning."
Lamine Yamal was one of the stars in Spain's 5-4 semi-final win over France, but struggled to make an impact in Sunday’s final.
He had four shots, two of which were on target, but contributed just 0.1 expected goals (xG) to Spain's overall total of 2.1.
Yamal also created just one chance, though he did play the most passes into the final third (22) and put in the most crosses (five).
The youngster was substituted at half-time in extra time, though De la Fuente insisted that it was due to the heavy workload throughout the season, for both club and country.
"It's normal for Lamine to be tired, he's very young and he's had a very hard year," De la Fuente said when asked about the substitution.
"He's had very little rest, he's only 17, and we must dose him when necessary."
Ciuanptyz
0
Console yourself Sir. Your boys need to be humble. When young players are always overhyped, you'll end up with stars but little further achievements. Ask England and Belgium
oh you know Bellingham is over hyped
rahmsey
1
Mingueza inactive to push forward make Yamal to remain defensive conscious.
olusoji15
0
for the first time in that last two weeks in a role we wake up without news of yamal and the balondor. thank you Ronaldo and Portugal from saving us from noise pollution
mate u are right but it's really funny for some Chelsea fans to compare palmer to yamal . 🤣
Shugarzizzle
0
palmer to yamal u are a joker mate 🤣
Why can’t you leave that unfortunate chealshit fan He’s only jealous and jealousy only leads to untimely death 😬😂
wuadeinop
0
Why lenomand instead of cubasi ?
Dibbkmosu
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
says fifa boy fan
JPierre
0
i hope they fire you as soon as possible.
wowadrsyz
1
the Spanish coach mistake was taking pedri and Fabian off it changed the rhythm of the game. with those two Spain would have scored a third but their absence unbalanced the team
gudiest01
3
the silence of lamine yamal and his Barcelona fans is proudly sponsored by Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team
Amorozy
0
Sure!
MADRIDISTA__07
0
yes very very far from everybody that we wouldn't be able to see you again 🤣🤣🤣
Dasacdilns
0
we will see!
Losaluyz
0
spain are a great team, they are favorite for world cup
ImryHaokip
0
without you
Dapcmostz
0
No Rodri = No Trophy
Bapbcdimnr
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
Same as Spain robbed Germany in the Euros . Cucurella handball
hossanna
2
if you repeat the same pattern you play on Sunday game you can't go far because everything was down to the coach error and static
Cube
2
Why start or even play Minguza, he was so weak that it affected Yamal performance. Why play Morata in the final?
Woyabdinpy
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
FUCK OFF MY FRIEND, MUGU
Woyabdinpy
0
NO OTHER PEOPLE WILL NOT GO FAR TOO
Newbmprsz
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
Go get life hater
Fiebilmstu
0
YOU CANT EVERYDAY,
Ziwbcdeksu
1
this old man is now the problem of Spain ur formation is very poor
Munbcdlty
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
u need to take a bath cause all u do is talk shit I never hear nobody saying GERMANY OR SPAIN was robbed
Bapo
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
What about 2022 World Cup bro?
Bapo
0
Believe me Downfall of Spain has started
Cawich22
0
RONALDO TIME TO RETIRE IS NOW UEFA MADE HIM WIN AGAINTS GERMANY AS EVERYTHING STANDS ITS ALL RIGGED
wusabeimyz
0
No Barca player on the field
wusabeimyz
4
With ur useless formation, u didn’t play olmo, Gavi
olusoji15
0
so he can play better in the premier league than palmer
palmer to yamal u are a joker mate 🤣
bahudrick
0
you have no player like him in your present Chelsea team so you actually don't his worth .
so he can play better in the premier league than palmer
olusoji15
0
for the first time in that last two weeks in a role we wake up without news of yamal and the balondor. thank you Ronaldo and Portugal from saving us from noise pollution
you have no player like him in your present Chelsea team so you actually don't his worth .
podabmnrst
3
earlier you realise it's only Barca players can save you stop benching them
EmeraldJ
1
Console yourself Sir. Your boys need to be humble. When young players are always overhyped, you'll end up with stars but little further achievements. Ask England and Belgium
vuaabdipu
0
highly doubt it
Lobbdkmnuy
2
Spain lost because of your fielding not good enough defenders that back four you put out yesterday is very weak
Misbdikprs
0
you are a complete joker
bahudrick
5
for the first time in that last two weeks in a role we wake up without news of yamal and the balondor. thank you Ronaldo and Portugal from saving us from noise pollution
Sura_kandeh
1
You, De la Fuente inflicted that defeat on Spain by your substitutions. By removing Lamine Yamal, Nico and Pedri, you shot the team down and offered Portugal the title. Asking Morata to take a penalty was insane. If I were to be in a position of authority in Spanish football, you would have been sacked this morning.
definitely bro. if I was to decide his future in Spain 🇪🇸, I would have given him his sacking letter
Moailmnpyz
4
Yes, Spain will go far but not with you being the coach.
ruscepsty
1
Spain missed Rodri. They also need a Dani Carvajal replacement but they are good to go
Soeradj_rs
2
Sure spain will go far in the future but without you maybe coach☺️
Nuodikptuy
4
The truth is that from what I observed in the semi final and final of the just concluded Nations league tournament, De la Fuente cannot lead Spain to World Cup glory. You may decide to disagree with my views but that is what it is. He is not a clever and intelligent coach to manage a team like Spain with abundant talents.
Nuodikptuy
2
You, De la Fuente inflicted that defeat on Spain by your substitutions. By removing Lamine Yamal, Nico and Pedri, you shot the team down and offered Portugal the title. Asking Morata to take a penalty was insane. If I were to be in a position of authority in Spanish football, you would have been sacked this morning.
descarts
1
Don't worry spain will play better in World Cup.
jonatzDjango
4
Fermini Lopez & Dani Olmo should have had some game time.
ladymessidevinefavor
1
De la fuente needs to know his time of substitution