Lamine Yamal has left Spain with no other option — the 16-year-old must be at the heart of the team’s attacking approach at the European Championship this summer.
Nothing seems to daunt him. Yamal became Spain’s youngest player and goalscorer this season, but he has not stopped there. He delivered his biggest statement performance yet on the international stage against Brazil at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. So impressive was Yamal that the locals chose to ignore his status as a star at rivals Barcelona and, when he was substituted, afforded his performance a standing ovation.
To put his display into proper context, he registered 63 touches, won a penalty, provided an assist, enjoyed six successful dribbles out of nine attempts — the most of anyone involved — won 11 of his 18 ground duels, also the most in the game, and nobody was fouled more often (he was brought down four times).
No one would blame Wendel, Lucas Beraldo or Joao Gomes if they endured nightmares for some time to come after everything inflicted upon them in Madrid. Yamal showcased his dribbling with glee, offering up an array of tricks, flicks, swerves and nutmegs.
Yamal leaves Brazil players dazed and confused (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
“He has been brilliant, but I’d like to remain calm with him because those young kids need to be given time,” said the Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. Yamal was only withdrawn in stoppage time at the end. Barcelona may have their own frustrations that he played for so long.
Yet, despite Yamal’s masterclass, Spain did not win.
They had to settle for a 3-3 draw against Brazil, despite clearly being the better side. They set the tone, dominated and would have won had they been more clinical, but a fightback from Dorival Junior’s side — and a couple of defensive howlers from Spain — allowed the visitors to rally from a two-goal first-half deficit to level at 2-2, then equalise again in the 97th-minute equaliser, having slipped 3-2 behind with three minutes of normal time remaining.
There were still positive conclusions to be drawn by De la Fuente. Principal among them was the makeup of his starting XI, with the side who began against Brazil likely to remain the wisest choice at this summer’s Euros in Germany.
Gavi’s long-term knee injury presented a challenge to De la Fuente, who finally decided to make a slight tweak to his system. Spain’s classical 4-3-3 structure, with Gavi operating as an attacking midfielder next to Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz, has morphed into a 4-2-3-1 which may well feature at the finals.
With Gavi injured, De la Fuente plans to grant RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo the No 10 role. Tuesday was his first test in the position, and the results were exciting.
Olmo did not just score the best goal of the night at the Bernabeu, but he proved to be a perfect complement for the two exciting wingers flanking him on either side: Yamal and Nico Williams. “The three of them have world-class potential,” said De la Fuente.
Olmo celebrates scoring the best goal of the game (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
They will probably be Spain’s biggest threat. From being a passing and slow-tempo-oriented football side, Spain are looking to propel themselves forward by giving free rein to their flamboyant wingers. Williams had a brilliant start to the game as well, giving Danilo a tough time, but eventually faded as fatigue kicked in.
Alvaro Morata is, once again, expected to lead the forward line as there are no convincing candidates to replace him. Morata was booed off as he was substituted on 81 minutes, presumably for the resentment Real fans hold for their former striker as he now plays for city rivals Atletico.
“It hurts my soul that, in our country, we hear fans booing one of our captains and a fundamental player — I feel ashamed,” said De la Fuente in defence of Morata.
Behind that quartet of attackers was Spain’s best player: Rodri.
Sergio Busquets’ international retirement after the 2022 World Cup was seen in Spain as the captain handing over the baton to his heir.
Rodri duly took the armband against Brazil but, according to De la Fuente, the decision was taken as a show of support to the Manchester City midfielder, who had lost his grandfather on the eve of the match. He scored two goals, both from the penalty spot. Each was celebrated with fingers pointed to the sky.
Rodri points to the heavens following the death of his grandfather (Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The biggest concern that will nag away at Spain over the three months between now and the start of the Euros will be their defence.
Although De la Fuente’s plans seem pretty clear, with Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte virtually guaranteed spots, the left-back role is still to be claimed. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has been out with a hamstring injury since January and is not expected to be fit for the competition. Valencia’s Jose Gaya was also not available last night through injury, with Alex Grimaldo of Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella the other two candidates. Cucurella had a decent game against Brazil, but the competition to make the plane to Germany will be tough.
The candidacy of Barcelona’s latest academy graduate, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi, cannot be discounted.
He played the dying minutes of both friendlies and while De la Fuente seems convinced of Laporte and Le Normand as his centre-back partnership, the lack of defensive consistency against Brazil, and Cubarsi’s rapid progression, may very well change his mind by the summer. Cubarsi would provide another sign of a young, daring and hungry new generation for Spain.
Inside the national team setup, they are acutely aware Spain’s ranks do not contain many elite finished products. Rodri is their only player to fit that mould. But the amount of raw talent cannot be understated.
Spain seem capable of upsetting anyone — but will they be more than that? Can the new generation turn into something more serious than a fun team to watch?
The answer, after the Brazil game, will most likely rest at the feet of Yamal.
(Top photo: Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
