The Spanish national team’s first phase at the 2026 World Cup left more questions than answers regarding their team play.

Luis de la Fuente’s side comfortably topped their group, but failed to produce their best performance in the matches against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

However, amidst the uncertainties, one player emerged who certainly rose to the occasion and maintained a consistent level of performance throughout the group stage: Pau Cubarsí.

At just 19 years of age, the centre-back showed remarkable maturity and took command of the central defence with aplomb, to such an extent that he was rated as one of the best defenders in the tournament.

His impact was so significant that he became the only player under the age of 20 to play every single minute of the first stage.

A defensive wall and an unbeaten record

Cubarsí, who currently plays for FC Barcelona, provided clean build-up play and defensive aggression – a combination that was absolutely vital to the Spanish national team’s structure.

In this regard, the youngster ranked as the seventh centre-back with the most direct tackles in the group stage, with a total of 11, coming very close to the leader, Piero Hincapié (13).

Furthermore, he ranked among the top 10 defenders for total recoveries in the first phase of the World Cup, with a total of 37 interceptions and 37 successful challenges.

Thanks to this performance, Spain concluded the first stage of the tournament with an enviable record: they kept a clean sheet and did not concede a single goal in three official matches.

Spain’s group stage matches:

  • Spain 0–0 Cape Verde

  • Spain 3–0 Saudi Arabia

  • Spain 1–0 Uruguay

Possession and quality: From La Masía to the World Cup

For his part, so far in the tournament, Cubarsí has put on a display of his ‘La Masía DNA’ and has also shone with the ball at his feet.

During the group stage, he achieved an extraordinary 99 per cent pass completion rate from the 204 passes he attempted. He practically never gave the ball away and brought fluidity to the team’s build-up play.

As well as his solidity at the back, the defender brought composure to building play from his own half and delivering clean passes to his teammates further up the pitch.

“I’m living a dream; I feel more and more like a leader” – Pau Cubarsí

The rising star who is no longer just a prospect

This performance at football’s biggest stage is no fluke. The centre-back, who was previously nominated for the Kopa Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d'Or, has more than proven what he is capable of, both at FC Barcelona and for the Spanish national team.

At 19, he is one of the centre-backs currently in the best form and with the brightest future in world football, to such an extent that several European clubs are willing to pay 80 million euros for him.

However, the do-or-die challenges are now beginning. The moment of truth has arrived for Pau Cubarsí at this World Cup.

A tough Austria side awaits in the demanding round of 32. Should they progress to the next round, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Kylian Mbappé’s France loom on the horizon.

How far will the Spanish side go, led by their defensive gem?