Lamin Yamal, rather low-key since the start of the 2026 World Cup, will be eagerly awaited during Spain’s quarter-final against Belgium this Friday night. His coach Luis de la Fuente wanted to reassure him about the physical condition of the Barca star.
“In attack, the best Lamin (Yamal) is yet to come,” Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente warned on Thursday about his 18-year-old prodigy ahead of the Spain-Belgium World Cup quarter-finals in Los Angeles. Arriving injured at the start of the tournament, Lamin Yamal appears to be going strong, although he only scored one goal in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the first round.
“He must stay motivated, but not let it affect him… In attack, the best Lamin is still ahead. He has not yet reached the exceptional level that we are used to. The other day (in the 8th match against Portugal, editor’s note) he had to work a lot in defense against a very strong opponent until he knocked him out (Nuno Mendes came out with an injury, editor’s note). He showed great maturity, he is learned,” the technician said on press conferences.
France ‘showed its full football potential’
Asked about potential semi-final opponents France after their 2-0 win over Morocco on Thursday, De la Fuente “could see” the encounter. France “were excellent, they showed all their football potential” but “the priority is Belgium, a very good team, with players used to winning titles, this will be our toughest match so far.”
Heading a side that has yet to concede a goal in the tournament, the 65-year-old coach insists his team has “always been very solid defensively” but hopes his players will be “more accurate” in front of goal. Which perhaps let them down, especially in the opening match against Cape Verde (0-0) or Portugal (1-0), before substitute Mikel Merino came on in stoppage time.
“We are a very cohesive, organized and balanced team capable of creating scoring opportunities,” added the man, who said he was working on “all possible scenarios” and therefore a possible penalty shootout.