Why Lamine Yamal Did Not Start Spain World Cup Opener vs. Cape Verde
Spain said the 18-year-old winger is available but will be eased back after a hamstring injury, with coach Luis de la Fuente limiting his minutes.
- Spain launched their 2026 World Cup campaign against Cabo Verde on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Atalanta Stadium with star attacker Lamine Yamal starting on the bench due to a hamstring injury.
- Yamal sustained the hamstring injury during Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on April 22, forcing him to miss the remainder of the La Liga season before the World Cup.
- Head coach Luis de la Fuente stated Yamal is in "perfect condition" before the match, though cautioning, "He is not in a position to play the full 90 minutes, but he can participate if we feel it's needed."
- Yamal entered as a second-half substitute with the score locked at 0-0, building optimism he will feature more prominently against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 21.
- The 18-year-old aims to join Pele and Kylian Mbappe in winning the World Cup as a teenager, while Spain seeks victories over Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia to reach the knockout stages.
30 Articles
30 Articles
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»If the ball doesn't want in, he doesn't want in«: Thus Spain's coach explains the zero number against Cape Verde. Is it that simple or is there even more? Everything is now attached to Lamine Yamal.
Here is every World Cup fixture you may have missed on Monday
Spain, considered by many as one of the favourites to win the title, failed to impress in their opening match against Cape Verde, which ended in a nil-nil draw, as La Roja star Lamine Yamal remains sidelined with injury.
World Cup favorite Spain's Achilles' heel exposed: ESPN's shocking analysis. Yamal not at full health, Spain's draw was inevitable. Sports Chosun reporter Ryu Dong-hyuk. Spain without Lamine Yamal was an ordinary team. Spain became the victim of the first upset of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup. Yamal, who returned from injury, is not yet at full health
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