Dean Huijsen Reflects on World Cup Snub After Strong Return in Spain's 4-1 Win Over Croatia
Dean Huijsen has spoken out about the pain of missing the World Cup after making a strong return for Spain. The defender played the full match as La Roja dominated Croatia 4-1 in their first home game since winning the tournament.
A Young Defender Reclaims His Spot
Huijsen rejoined the starting lineup during the impressive Nations League victory. Alongside his Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella, he delivered a confident and controlled performance that helped secure all three points. This display came as a personal triumph, especially after being left out of the final World Cup squad earlier in the summer.
Honest Words About the Emotional Toll
After the match, Huijsen openly shared how tough the World Cup omission was for him and his family. He said,
"It was quite tough for me. In the end, it was a very sad moment for me and my family. The important thing is to be back, and we have to focus on the positives."
Breaking a Nearly Century-Old Pattern
The decision to exclude Huijsen sparked debate since it left Spain's World Cup roster without any Real Madrid players for the first time in 92 years. Coach De la Fuente opted for other defenders like Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, and Marc Pubill. Huijsen's quick return to the starting eleven shows he remains a key figure in the coach's plans moving forward.
Spain Keeps Unbeaten Streak Alive
The convincing 4-1 win stretched Spain's unbeaten run to 40 matches. This result puts them three points clear at the top of Group A3, ahead of England and Croatia. De la Fuente’s team will look to maintain this momentum when they face Czechia next. For Huijsen, this performance strengthens his case amid stiff competition for central defense roles.
- Match Result: Spain 4 - 1 Croatia
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A
- Streak: Spain unbeaten in 40 matches
- Group Standing: Spain leads Group A3 by 3 points over England and Croatia
