Turkiye draw reminded De la Fuente the difficulty of winning internationals
Spain's hopes for a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign ended in their final group match as they played out a 2-2 draw with Turkiye.
Luis de la Fuente was content with being reminded how difficult it is to win at international level following Spain's 2-2 draw with Turkiye in their final World Cup qualifier.
Spain were almost guaranteed to finish top of Group E ahead of kick-off unless Turkiye could pull off a miraculous goal swing, but Dani Olmo got them off to a flying start.
The Barcelona forward finished past Altay Bayindir in the fourth minute in Seville, but the visitors restored parity just before the break through Deniz Gul's strike from close range.
Salih Ozcan then put Turkiye in front, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to level eight minutes later, with neither side able to find a winner in the closing stages of the contest.
It saw Spain end their qualifying campaign with five wins from their six games but, more importantly, extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions.
It is now 31 competitive games unbeaten for Spain, which matches the longest run set by a team that has won the World Cup (previously by Italy), with De la Fuente taking charge of 26 of those (W20 D6).
"We are happy and content and this result highlights everything that has been done before. What was achieved in Turkey, that 0-6, was almost perfection," De la Fuente said.
"This time we were able to solve it in the first half, but happy to be in another World Cup and for the streak of 31 games unbeaten.
"Today I learned how difficult it is to win, and it doesn't hurt to remember it from time to time."
La Roja have now qualified for their 13th consecutive World Cup, and they did so with relative ease in a group that also featured Georgia and Bulgaria.
Spain scored 21 goals across their qualifying campaign while only conceding twice, a total only bettered by Thomas Tuchel's England (0) in the UEFA section.
Oyarzabal was arguably his nation's standout player, registering 10 goal involvements (six goals, four assists), with only Norway's Erling Haaland (18) and the Netherlands' Memphis Depay (12) managing more.
Following the draw for the World Cup, which takes place on December 5, Spain are next in action in March, with the European Champions taking on Copa America victors Argentina in the Finalissima at Lusail Stadium, a match De la Fuente is relishing.
"The next thing is the draw, and from December 6 we will start preparing the opponents. It is the most intense time for us," De la Fuente added.
"As for the Finalissima, we are very excited, but the pity is that it will take four months before we get together again.
"We have the foundations of the rival, Argentina, and it will be a great game. It's very nice for Spanish football to play that final."
