Spain are taking no chances with their most dangerous attackers. The European champions confirmed that Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and midfielder Víctor Muñoz would not travel to Puebla, Mexico, for their final warm-up against Peru, staying at the team base in Chattanooga to continue their recovery programmes (beIN Sports).
It is a deliberate piece of risk management with the opener now a week away — the priority is the World Cup, not a friendly.
Three fitness pictures
The absentees are all nursing minor issues that the federation has chosen not to test on a meaningless night:
- Lamine Yamal — left hamstring, injured converting a penalty for Barcelona against Celta Vigo on April 22.
- Nico Williams — left hamstring discomfort since a May 10 game against Valencia.
- Víctor Muñoz — a lingering left calf problem dating to April.
None is described as a serious doubt for the tournament; all three are being managed rather than ruled out (beIN Sports).
Three regulars rested for the Peru friendly to protect fitness — opener vs Cape Verde is June 15. Source: beIN Sports
The Yamal watch goes on
Yamal is the name everyone is tracking. Coach Luis de la Fuente has said he expects the 18-year-old available for Spain's opener against Cape Verde Islands on June 15, while pointedly refusing to guarantee a start: "If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15. It doesn't mean that for sure he will play" (ESPN).
!If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15. It doesn't mean that for sure he will play.
Keeping him out of Puebla fits that careful messaging. We track the day-by-day picture in our Yamal fitness tracker.
A team that can afford it
Spain go into the friendly unbeaten in nine, having been held 1-1 by Iraq in their previous outing (ESPN). With Pedri and Rodri anchoring the midfield, de la Fuente has more than enough quality to give fringe players a run-out without the headline names.
That is the upside of being among the favourites: a final friendly can be about caution, not desperation.
The bottom line
Resting Yamal and Williams is the conservative call, and the correct one. Spain would rather field both fresh against Cape Verde than risk a setback chasing sharpness in a game that decides nothing.
See how the section shapes up in our Group H analysis, read the bull case in why Spain can win, and set your picks on the predictions page.
Sources
- beIN Sports — Spain without three of its biggest stars for Peru friendly
- ESPN — Spain coach expects Lamine Yamal fit for opener
- ESPN — Spain 1-1 Iraq game analysis
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
