Lamine Yamal ruled out of Spain qualifiers after groin injury setback

Spain will be without teenager Lamine Yamal for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria after the Barcelona winger suffered a recurrence of his groin injury.

The 18-year-old, who made his first start since August in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, is expected to miss up to three weeks, Barcelona confirmed on Friday. His latest setback also places his availability for the October 26 Clasico against Real Madrid in doubt.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente downplayed talk of tension with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, who had criticised the national team’s handling of Yamal in September. “There is no conflict with Flick,” said De la Fuente. “We are playing for the World Cup, that is what really matters. The rest is not important.”

Spain will also be without Nico Williams and Dani Carvajal due to injury, while Alvaro Morata has been omitted.

Group E leaders Spain host Georgia on October 11 before facing Bulgaria three days later.

(Source: AFP)