De la Fuente Tips Lamine Yamal for 'Legend' Status After Spain Beat Czechia
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says Lamine Yamal is on the path to becoming a legend after the teenager scored another stunning goal in Saturday’s 3-1 Nations League win over Czechia in Oviedo.
Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute, cutting inside from the right before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner, a trademark finish that left his coach with his hands on his head in disbelief on the touchline.
Lamine Yamal strikes again in Spain’s win over Czechia
The Lamine Yamal Spain story keeps repeating itself. For the third successive international, the 19-year-old found the net inside the opening ten minutes, setting the tone for a victory that kept the world champions top of Nations League Group A3 with three wins from three.
Rodri doubled the lead before the break, and although Jiri Slama pulled one back for Czechia in the 69th minute to spark a nervous spell, Ladislav Krejci’s red card ended the visitors’ resistance and Mikel Merino struck late to seal the points. Czechia had briefly thought they equalised through Ryan Naderi, but the effort was ruled out for a foul on Robin Le Normand.
Yamal was withdrawn at half-time, with De la Fuente resting his star turn ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Croatia.
De la Fuente’s glowing verdict
The Spain coach could barely contain his admiration afterwards, backing Yamal’s talent while insisting the best is still to come.
“Lamine never stops surprising us, all of us,” De la Fuente said. “He has so much talent and so much quality. He still has a lot to offer us, too, and there is a long way to go to until we see the best Lamine, even if he is making giant strikes all the time.”
He also talked up the winger’s Ballon d’Or credentials ahead of the ceremony in London later this month. “If he was the only Spanish player nominated for the Ballon d’Or, I would say yes, he’s best in the world,” De la Fuente said. “He does everything well. If he’s not the best, then it’s because of competition from the other Spanish players, and even then he’s one of the best for sure. Lamine is on the path to becoming a legend.”
Numbers behind the streak
Yamal has now scored four goals in three games during this international break, and it is the first time he has scored in three straight matches for Spain. His 12 goals in his last nine games for club and country combined underline a run of form few players in world football can match.
Spain travel to Croatia on Tuesday knowing a point will take them within touching distance of the Nations League quarter-finals.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Spain vs Czechia?
Spain won 3-1 in Oviedo. Yamal and Rodri scored before the break, Slama pulled one back for Czechia, and Merino sealed it late after Krejci was sent off.
What did De la Fuente say about Lamine Yamal?
He said Yamal never stops surprising everyone, backed him as potentially the best in the world, and declared the teenager is on the path to becoming a legend.
How many goals has Yamal scored this international break?
Four goals in three games, scoring in each of Spain’s three Nations League matches, all inside the opening ten minutes.
When do Spain play next?
Spain travel to Croatia on Tuesday, with Yamal rested at half-time against Czechia with that fixture in mind.
