Lamine Yamal (foto: Getty Images)
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente believes Lamine Yamal's relentless display played a key role in Nuno Mendes' injury during the World Cup victory over Portugal.
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Spain booked their place in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over Portugal, and head coach Luis de la Fuente reserved his highest praise for Lamine Yamal, despite the teenager finishing the match without a goal or an assist.
The Spain coach described the 18-year-old's display as one of the most important performances of his young career, pointing to his work without the ball as a decisive factor in the victory.
"For me, Lamine played one of the biggest matches of his life. Whether he was spectacular or not is irrelevant. This was one of those performances that will help him develop the most," De la Fuente said after the match.
The Spanish manager praised Yamal's defensive effort and the constant pressure he placed on Portugal throughout the game.
"He did extraordinary work. He suffered for the team, defended for the team, and, whenever he had the ball, he created uncertainty. He made the opposition afraid."
De la Fuente even suggested that Yamal's relentless attacking runs contributed to the injury suffered by Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes, who was forced off in the 56th minute.
"In my opinion, Nuno Mendes' injury was probably the result of the demands Lamine placed on him throughout the match."
Although Yamal has scored only once at this World Cup, he continues to be one of Spain's most influential players.
After arriving at the tournament with a minor thigh injury, he started Spain's opening match against Cape Verde on the bench. He returned to the starting line-up for the following game against Saudi Arabia, scoring in a convincing 4-0 victory.
Against Portugal, his impact went well beyond the scoresheet. Yamal recorded the most touches inside the opposition penalty area, completed every attempted long pass, beat defenders repeatedly in one-on-one situations, won numerous ground duels, made several recoveries and regularly carried the ball into dangerous attacking areas.
Spain's record with Yamal in the side also underlines his importance. Since making his senior international debut, the European champions have not lost a match in normal time whenever the Barcelona star has featured.
With a quarter-final against Belgium on the horizon, De la Fuente made it clear that Spain's hopes of lifting the World Cup will continue to rely heavily on one of football's brightest young talents.
"We need Lamine at this World Cup. We want him to keep growing and producing performances like this."