De la Fuente proud as Spain storm into World Cup final

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente struggled to contain his emotions after his side beat France 2-0 in Dallas on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final, saying he was proud to lead an exceptional group of players.

"Well, now it's difficult to describe what I feel. Pride, happiness. Pride in leading such an exceptional team. We still have one more step to take. We'll try to achieve it," De la Fuente said.

"Right now, there's a lot of pent-up tension, a great responsibility. We're in the final. It's a luxury. I have to process everything; it's only for a select few."

The Spain coach said the achievement vindicated the vision he and his staff had from the start of their journey.

"When we started with an idea, and that idea took us this far, I'm very proud," he said.

De la Fuente also praised his players after overcoming one of the tournament favourites.

"We talked in the locker room today, we were facing one of the great teams in the world. But we are too," he said.

"These players always give their all. They show their talent day after day, it's a spectacle to watch them play. They make everything more complicated for the opponent.

"It's a pride to be Spanish, to have this connection with the whole country. We arrived like this and we will stay like this."

Spain will face either England or Argentina in the final in New York on July 20, while France will contest the third-place playoff.