Luis de la Fuente has allayed concerns over Lamine Yamal's physical condition following Spain's commanding 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday. The teenage Barcelona winger appeared to struggle during stretches of the match, prompting immediate worry among supporters, but the Spanish manager confirmed that medical assessments have proven encouraging ahead of Sunday's final.
While Yamal escaped serious injury, Pedro Porro faced a different outcome. The Tottenham defender was substituted in the 85th minute with what De la Fuente described as an overuse concern. "Lamine doesn't have anything that I know of. I've spoken with the doctors now. Pedro Porro seems to have overuse injuries, but we'll see tomorrow," the coach stated during his post-match press conference. Spain will monitor Porro's condition closely as the squad prepares for their assault on the championship.
De la Fuente Praises Squad Development
The Spain boss used the semi-final triumph to reflect on his team's evolution throughout the tournament. Rather than attributing the win to fortune, De la Fuente emphasized the deep quality within Spanish football and the dedication of his players. "This isn't by chance: it's talent, hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, and we knew we had to keep improving little by little throughout the tournament," he explained, highlighting the systematic approach that has defined La Roja's campaign.
De la Fuente expressed admiration for Spanish players' tactical intelligence on the global stage, crediting both domestic coaches and clubs for cultivating this advantage. However, he remained measured in his outlook, refusing to celebrate prematurely. "What's coming is more difficult, and we're eager to play the final," he said, stressing that the championship decider represents the true test of his squad's ambitions.
Royal Recognition and Final Preparations
Spain received a congratulatory call from King Felipe VI following the semi-final victory, underscoring the national significance of reaching the final. Spain will face either England or Argentina in pursuit of repeating their 2010 World Cup triumph. De la Fuente concluded by emphasizing the journey's importance and his commitment to continued improvement as the squad targets their second global title in 16 years.
