Spain seek second World Cup title as Lamine Yamal leads new golden generation
Spain’s new generation, led by Yamal, faces its biggest test yet against Messi’s Argentina Spain’s new generation, led by Yamal, faces its bigg
Spanish side that could boast the next generation's greatest player in Lamine Yamal will try to win their second World Cup title when they face Argentina on Sunday, after their 2010 triumph in South Africa with an earlier generation.
Spain’s road to the World Cup final has been remarkably smooth. Aside from a goalless draw with Cape Verde in their tournament opener, La Roja have rarely looked under serious threat, capping their impressive run with a commanding 2-0 semifinal victory over favourites France.
And they've done all of this with only one goal from the 19-year-old sensation, Yamal, who started the tournament still working back to 90-minute fitness after recovering from a left hamstring strain sustained in mid-April playing for FC Barcelona.
The presence of Lionel Messi in the opposing team will bring comparisons for Lamine, whose only goal came in a 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia in the group stage. But Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said comparison is unwise.
"Messi is a one-of-a-time-in-history player, and he's an example, a role model for youth and younger players, his attitude, his behavior," de la Fuente said through an interpreter.
"Lamine has to be Lamine Yamal himself, and the best way we can support him is by helping him be the person we know today because he has a great potential, a great future."
Messi enters the weekend tied with France's Kylian Mbappe for the World Cup Golden Boot with eight goals, and with four assists, only one shy of Michael Olise.
With Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo and Rodri in midfield, Spain’s side is arguably as talented, if not necessarily as flamboyant, as that 2010 team. And they insist they are just as determined to leave their own legacy.
"We are very much satisfied with the team's process, but we are far more ambitious than this," Rodri said through an interpreter.
"We have a great challenge ahead of us on Sunday, a very beautiful challenge in order to make (people) proud of this generation."
Comments