Spain look to Yamal inspiration to end World Cup drought

Lamine Yamal is impossible to miss around Atlanta's futuristic stadium, with giant advertisements featuring the 18-year-old Barcelona sensation plastered across towering skyscrapers. Yet it is on the field where Spain most need their teenage star.

The European champions stumbled in their World Cup opener, being held to a goalless draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde, raising questions about their credentials as one of the favourites for the title.

Yamal, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly two months, was introduced only for the final 15 minutes. Despite not finding the breakthrough, his impact was immediate.

The 68,000 fans in attendance, many of whom had come to watch one of football's brightest talents, finally had reason to cheer. More importantly, Spain's predictable passing game suddenly gained a cutting edge capable of unsettling Cape Verde's defence.

"Lamine is undoubtedly a special player. He has great ability to beat his man and disrupt the opposition's defensive shape," said Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino.

"Given Lamine's quality, he can influence any game at any moment."

Yamal first captured global attention as a 16-year-old during Spain's triumphant Euro 2024 campaign. His pace, creativity and attacking threat on the right flank formed a devastating partnership with Nico Williams on the left.

However, Williams has also endured an injury-hit season and was limited to a brief cameo against Cape Verde. Without the pair's ability to take on defenders and create openings, Spain reverted to the toothless style that has repeatedly undermined them at World Cups since lifting the trophy in 2010.

In the 16 years since that triumph, La Roja have managed just three victories in 12 World Cup matches.

Their dominance of possession has often failed to translate into goals. Spain have now completed more than 2,500 passes since their last World Cup goal, a statistic that reflects the struggles seen against Japan and Morocco four years ago and, more recently, against a Cape Verde side ranked 67th in the world.

"Lamine showed exactly what he's capable of the moment he stepped onto the pitch," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.

"He forced the opposition to change their approach, but that was the amount of playing time we felt was right for him."

'Don't have any doubt'

Despite the disappointing start, De la Fuente has urged calm.

Spain remain unbeaten in competitive matches for more than three years, a run stretching to 32 games.

"Don't have any doubt," Yamal wrote on social media after his World Cup debut.

"We know this is a long competition and the objective is still far off. We will keep working and everything will work out how we want."

The expanded 48-team format offers contenders more room to recover from an early setback. One victory from their remaining group matches against Saudi Arabia or Uruguay should be enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Yet the opening game highlighted just how crucial Yamal has become to Spain's hopes of winning a second World Cup. His influence was evident the moment he entered the match, creating a dependence that De la Fuente would likely have preferred to avoid.

Attention will now turn to whether the teenager is ready to start against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.

Only days after De la Fuente declared Spain possessed the strongest squad depth in the tournament, La Roja appear increasingly reliant on their teenage star—and on his ability to stay fit throughout the demanding weeks ahead.