Luis de la Fuente Praises Lamine Yamal After 1-0 Win

Spain Clinches Quarter‑Final Spot

Spain edged out Portugal 1‑0 in a hard‑fought World Cup 2026 clash, thanks to a late strike from Mikel Merino. The victory pushes La Roja into the quarter‑finals, where they will meet Belgium. It was a pivotal win that keeps Spain’s campaign alive on the world stage.

Yamal’s Game‑Changing Performance

Luis de la Fuente highlighted Lamine Yamal as the architect of the win, calling the match one of the most important of his young career. He noted how Yamal’s relentless pressure on Nuno Mendes may have contributed to the defender’s second‑half injury. “He played one of the most important matches of his life, one that helped him grow. Nuno’s injury was possibly a consequence of the demands Yamal put on him,” De la Fuente said. “He did a spectacular job, he suffered for the team, and he delivered one of the most important performances of his career. And he still has so much more to achieve at this World Cup.”

Looking Ahead to Belgium

Spain’s progression sets up a quarter‑final clash with Belgium, a team that will test La Roja’s resolve. De la Fuente stressed that Yamal still has significant room to grow and could become a cornerstone of future successes. With Belgium next, Spain will aim to capitalize on the momentum generated by this decisive victory.