Three days before the World Cup final against Argentina, the Spanish team is worried about two key players: Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro trained only on their own. However, coach Luis de la Fuente has already given a slight reassurance regarding the final.
The Spanish national team trained again for the first time since their 2-0 semifinal victory over France. However, two players were missing from team practice. With Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro, the entire right side of the Furia Roja completed an individual training session, according to the sports newspaper Marca. Lamine Yamal had his left thigh bandaged during the session. Both players had finished the match against France with physical ailments.
Lamine Yamal is dealing with a thigh injury he sustained before the opening goal. The forward collided with Lucas Digne on the right side of the penalty area when the Frenchman failed to see the onrushing 19-year-old while attempting to clear the ball and struck him in the thigh. Mikel Oyarzabal took the resulting penalty kick and put Spain on the path to victory with his goal.
As Lamine Yamal’s pain intensified, physical therapists in Dallas are now treating him. Due to the aftereffects of a thigh injury sustained in late April, the youngster had only come off the bench in the first two group stage matches. Since then, he has consistently been in the starting lineup.
De la Fuente: “No Cause for Concern”
Meanwhile, Pedro Porro sat out due to muscle issues. The scorer of the decisive 2-0 goal, who was struggling, made way for Marcos Llorente shortly before the final whistle. The defender had already experienced mild discomfort after his first start against Saudi Arabia and therefore sat out the match against Uruguay. Since then, he has consistently started.
Lamine Yamal (one goal and one assist) and Pedro Porro (two goals) have been absolute mainstays for the Spanish team since the knockout stage. The absence of one player—or even both—would be very difficult for Spain to compensate for in the final.
Three days before the final against defending champion Argentina, however, there is no cause for concern regarding either player, according to head coach Luis de la Fuente. He sees no problem with two of his key players training separately from the team; it is merely a precautionary measure. Both are expected to be fully fit again by Sunday.