On the evening Spain clinched their inaugural World Cup title in 2010, Rodrigo Hernández found himself in a remote camp in Connecticut, distracted by canoeing when the national team triumphed over Germany in the semi-final. Upset about missing the moment, he managed to secure a spot to watch the final on a tiny laptop in the supervisor’s hut. When Andrés Iniesta netted the decisive goal in the 116th minute, he couldn’t contain his excitement, sprinting around the nearby lake in jubilation. He was just 14 years old.
Fast forward 16 years, and on the night Spain secured their second World Cup title, Rodrigo Hernández was back in the U.S., close to that same camp. When Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, he dashed off in a straight line towards his family, a stark contrast to his earlier antics. When the final whistle blew, marking the end of the battle, he seized the trophy, timing his lift perfectly as Donald Trump exited the stage.
This trophy was one of many, but it held a unique significance that couldn’t be traded in. By the time Rodri stepped out of the dressing room at the New Jersey New York Stadium at 9:38 PM Eastern Time, he was unable to carry them all. Ladis, walking ahead, lent a helping hand. In football, a team comprises not just players but also coaches. Pau Cubarsí experienced a similar moment earlier, receiving assistance from Nuria, as their young son, merely 19, looked the part of a child in the stadium while exuding leadership on the pitch. Luis de la Fuente was accompanied by Paloma.
Rodri also brought home the trophy for the tournament’s best player. Cubarsí carried the young player award, and Unai Simón had the Golden Glove. Each player received replicas of their World Cup trophies housed in black Louis Vuitton trunks, which were cumbersome to carry. Rodri had three trophies in total: both replicas and the actual cup. They left with a plethora of mementos, including shirts in red, yellow, blue, and white, balls, and boots, having even collected pieces of the net. They were adorned with rings reminiscent of those in the NBA.
Before the match began, Marc Cucurella discreetly made his way to the touchline, burying a coin in the pitch, a tradition reminiscent of the late left-back Joan Capdevila’s actions in 2010. Iniesta was present, with his name echoed by the crowd as he showcased the cup to the fans. Following the match, Sergio Ramos returned with the trophy, excitedly kissing it before placing it on the pedestal for this new generation to claim, achieving what seemed impossible. Players like Borja Iglesias and Lamine Yamal were notably cautious in their interactions with Trump, but ultimately, Rodri lifted the trophy high.
Nico Williams sought out his mother in the front row to present her with his medal. Lamine Yamal approached Lionel Messi, who stood to embrace him, marking a significant moment for the rising star. Actor Javier Bardem shared a warm hug with Iglesias, his newfound friend. Ferran Torres expressed a sense of “Destiny is written: God gives to those who deserve.” reflecting on the challenges he faced, stating, “If we had played [Spain] like this …” Meanwhile, Keyne was simply being Keyne. In the dressing room, the same one Cucurella noted from last year’s Club World Cup, the champagne was popped open.
Time was of the essence; the flight back to Spain was set for 11 PM, prompting a swift exit. As they made their way through the dimly lit corridors of the stadium, the president, staff, and players were all present. Iglesias struggled with an oversized bag reminiscent of a student’s laundry, while wheeling a large red speaker. The music blared, with the tune Dirty Cash (Money Talks) by PAWSA & Adventures of Stevie V filling the air. Lamine Yamal, sporting orange sunglasses and multiple chains, arrived via the anti-doping area, his cap worn backward. While some wore their medals, he opted to leave his off, though most proudly displayed theirs around their necks.
Earlier in Dallas, during a celebration after the semi-final victory, a light-hearted suggestion was made to federation president Rafael Louzán that the shirts should feature “We gave them a battering,” on one side and “Look at them! Look at them! How they shit themselves!” on the other. However, the shirts only sported one trophy, with “If my gloves could talk, they would say they didn’t have much work to do,” emblazoned on the back. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East had disrupted the Finalissima initially scheduled in Doha, with Argentina consistently declining to reschedule. Emi Martínez remarked after a narrow victory against Mauritania in a hastily arranged friendly, “Many teams depend too much on the back line,”
What transpired in the final was a testament not only to Argentina’s struggle but also to Spain’s dominance. “They asked me what there is left to win; we said the next game in September because they’re insatiable,” remarked one player exiting the dressing room. This victory transcended mere numbers; it was a clear demonstration of control. Late in the match, as the score remained 0-0, Spanish fans chanted, “The manager is outstanding; he has been our leader.” and their observations were accurate. Argentina struggled throughout, with Spain tightening their grip, making the eventual goal seem like a matter of time. When it finally came, it was both liberating and logically inevitable.
Torres’s attempt marked Spain’s 20th shot, while Argentina only managed their first in the 115th minute, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the match. According to Opta, this marked only the third instance in World Cup history that a team failed to shoot. Spain had effectively stifled Argentina, just as they had done to France and other opponents. Throughout the tournament, Spain’s expected goals against averaged a mere 0.3 per game. “I said: ‘You made a bad mistake’,” Simón commented, while Aymeric Laporte noted, “But it’s not like I am so horrendously ugly that you have to put it somewhere it can’t be seen. And they are men of their word.” but not Spain.
This triumph was the result of collective effort, culminating in New York but rooted in Chattanooga and beyond over 51 days. It stands as a victory for a philosophy, a belief, and for coach De la Fuente, who has been pivotal in shaping this success. Having begun his coaching career at Deportivo Alavés in the third tier, where he struggled to last just 11 matches, he found himself without a club job for years. After a lengthy period of unemployment, he responded to a call for a coach in the youth system. He guided the under-17s, then won the European Championship with the under-19s and under-21s, culminating in this World Cup victory.
“It doesn’t matter if you fall, there’s always a reason to get up again,” he remarked after the match. Simón praised, “The manager is outstanding; he has been our leader.” Cucurella faced a humorous predicament, having promised to get a tattoo of De la Fuente’s face should Spain win the World Cup. Now he had to contemplate where to place it, hoping to minimize the embarrassment on the flight home.
“I said: ‘You made a bad mistake,’” the coach joked, adding, “But it’s not like I am so horrendously ugly that you have to put it somewhere it can’t be seen. And they are men of their word.” This playful banter carried weight, as De la Fuente understood the significance of this victory—10 of the players had shared the field with him at junior levels. His first title was the Under-19 Euros in 2015, with Rodrigo Hernández playing a central role.
Now, eleven years later, and 16 since he witnessed Spain’s first World Cup victory, Rodri returned to the U.S., embodying the essence of the team’s philosophy. He was exceptional, topping the charts in passes and tackles, demonstrating his significant impact. As the captain, he led Spain onto the field and back into the spotlight. Having endured a serious injury, he had persevered for this moment.
“It doesn’t matter if you fall, there’s always a reason to get up again,” he stated, holding the trophy close. It was 9:40 PM when he boarded the bus headed to the airport, the actual World Cup in his grasp.
