Lamine Yamal could be rested against France in the World Cup semi-final
According to Foxsports.
Context
Lamine Yamal, at 18, is seen as one of Spain's promising talents, but his lack of contribution in recent matches raises questions about his place in the starting line-up. Coach Luis de la Fuente still has confidence in his potential, but the growing pressure from his colleagues could influence his decisions for the next game.
Why this matters
Spain faces a critical moment in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, especially with pressure mounting on Lamine Yamal. The young striker's inconsistent performance could impact the team's dynamics, which have already shown difficulties in maintaining a strong offensive rhythm. The expectation is that the team will find its game identity, characteristic of Spanish football, to advance in the competition.
Main conclusions
- Lamine Yamal could be rested against France in the World Cup semi-final.
- Spain are preparing to face France in the World Cup semi-final, but Lamine Yamal's performance has been questioned.
- Lamine Yamal remains central to Spain's plans.
Spain advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup this Friday, but the recent victory was not enough to convince everyone about the strength of the team and, especially, about the contribution of Lamine Yamal. Commentator Alexi Lalas expressed his reservations following Spain's 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium. He highlighted that the team did not show the rhythm and beauty of play that are usually associated with Spanish football.
Lamine Yamal, who was already considered one of the tournament's promising talents, had another low-key game, failing to contribute goals or assists for the fourth time in a row. Lalas commented: "He again didn't have a great highlight. That's to Belgium's credit, but he still hasn't had the explosive game we expected." Despite the pressure on the 18-year-old, coach Luis de la Fuente continues to trust in Yamal due to his undeniable talent.
However, the pressure on Yamal increases, especially with other players in the team showing more impactful performances when coming on as substitutes. Spain, who conceded their first goal of the tournament during the match against Belgium, have been facing offensive difficulties. The team scored 11 goals in six games, but fell below expectations in several matches, scoring two or fewer goals in four of them. Yamal, who has only scored once in this World Cup and has yet to register any assists, has an xG (expected goals) of 1.54 and an xA (expected assists) of 1.01, which indicates a performance below expectations.
Even though he was named Man of the Match in the last match, Yamal had difficulty getting quality touches inside the box, with only two of his six shots going towards goal. Although Lalas did not directly suggest that Yamal should be rested for the semi-final against France, he hinted that Spain's victory relied on a bit of luck, especially after theinjury to Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the second half.
Spain, now preparing to face France, who have been one of the best teams in the tournament so far, enter the field with a positive recent record against the French, having won the last two clashes. One of those games was in the Euro 2024 semi-final, and Yamal has won all five knockout games he has played against Kylian Mbappé in his career. However, Les Bleus' side won their six World Cup matches, scoring 14 goals without conceding.
Given this, Lalas believes that Spain are the underdogs in the semi-final against France. "Based on the performance of the tournament, I wouldn't put it as 50/50, but I wouldn't say it's impossible for Spain to win," Lalas said. He noted that despite the team's confidence, the current version of Spain appears to be at a disadvantage compared to the strength of France. This raises the question of what to expect from Lamine Yamal and whether he should continue as a starter or be preserved for such a decisive game.
What happens next
With the semi-final against France approaching, it is likely that coach Luis de la Fuente will re-evaluate Yamal's use. Pressure for results can lead to lineup changes, especially if other players continue to step up as substitutes. Spain will need a stronger performance to overcome France and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
Frequently asked questions
What is Spain's recent World Cup form?
Spain advanced to the semi-finals after beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals, but the team did not show the rhythm and beauty of the game expected.
Is Lamine Yamal injured or absent for the next game?
There is no information on injuries, but Lamine Yamal could be rested against France in the semi-final.
What are the expectations for the semi-final against France?
The semi-final against France is an important game as Spain look to improve their attacking performance after scoring just 11 goals in six games.
How is Lamine Yamal performing at the World Cup?
Lamine Yamal has performed discreetly, with no goals or assists in the last four matches, and has an xG of 1.54 and an xA of 1.01.
Who are the players who stood out in the Spain national team?
Although Lamine Yamal was named Man of the Match in the last match, other players have shown more impactful performances when coming on as substitutes.
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