Cucurella has played every minute of Spain’s campaign, helping anchor a defence that has kept a clean sheet in every match. His value is not limited to positioning or tackling: he brings aggression, recovery pace and the willingness to compete for difficult second balls.
Richards summed up that reliability with the phrase “sempre entrega” - he always delivers. That consistency will be tested by Belgium’s attacking options, including Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere.
Richards believes Cucurella and Pedro Porro can handle that threat, particularly if Spain control possession and force Belgium to defend for long periods.
Cucurella has also made a clear attacking contribution. He has supplied two assists during the tournament, more than any other Spanish player, and his relationship with Alex Baena has given Spain’s left side added energy.
That partnership allows Cucurella to overlap, combine in tight areas and push opponents backwards. For a team built around territorial control, his ability to turn defensive recoveries into forward momentum could prove decisive.
The move from Chelsea to Real Madrid has added another layer to Cucurella’s story. After an uneven beginning in England, he developed into a more dependable and influential full-back before taking the opportunity to move to Spain.
Alan Shearer captured the competitive edge of his game, saying: “Cucurella é um daqueles jogadores que, se está no adversário, você como torcedor simplesmente não gosta.” In other words, he is the kind of opponent supporters dislike - but would love to have on their own team.
Now comes the defining test. If Cucurella can contain Belgium and maintain Spain’s remarkable defensive record, his reputation may rise well beyond Richards’ praise.