Why Lamine Yamal Will Not Feature In Spain’s Starting XI vs Cape Verde

Atlanta: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions’ World Cup opener against Cape Verde on the bench. Barcelona superstar Yamal has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on April 22.

There were fears the 18-year-old could miss Spain’s opening two games of the World Cup, but he has trained all week and is set to feature in Atlanta on Monday.

“He is available but not to start the game. He is in perfect condition to play some minutes,” De la Fuente told a press conference on Sunday.

Wingers Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are also fit enough only for a place on the bench, limiting De La Fuente’s options in wide areas.

“They are fine to play tomorrow without setting them back. If it was not like that they would not even sit on the bench,” added De la Fuente.

For the first time Spain head into a World Cup without a single Real Madrid player in the squad.