Spain’s Yamal gamble after Cape Verde stalemate
A 0-0 draw exposes the tightrope Luis de la Fuente walks with Lamine Yamal’s workload as World Cup qualifiers tighten.
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Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde exposed the fragility behind the hype. Luis de la Fuente now faces a tactical headache over Lamine Yamal’s workload as La Roja stumbles through World Cup qualifiers. The stalemate in Málaga on June 8, 2024, left Spain with just four points from three games, their worst qualifying start since 2010.
Cape Verde parked a low block, absorbed pressure, and relied on quick transitions to neutralize Spain’s creativity. La Roja managed only two shots on target in 90 minutes, a damning indictment of their cutting edge. De la Fuente’s dilemma centers on Yamal, the 17-year-old who has already become Spain’s most influential attacker.
