FIFA World Cup 2026: Lamine Yamal starts as Spain make three changes for Uruguay clash
Guadalajara, June 27
Lamine Yamal starts for Spain in their FIFA World Cup Group H clash against Uruguay on Friday, as coach Luis de la Fuente makes three changes to the side that beat Saudi Arabia 4-0.
Marcos Llorente comes into the defence in place of Pedro Porro, while Mikel Merino and Alex Baena replace Dani Olmo and Nico Williams, both of whom drop to the bench, as per Reuters.
Rodri captains Spain in midfield alongside Pedri, Merino and Baena, with Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal leading the attack.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa also makes several changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Cape Verde, with Fernando Muslera starting in goal and Darwin Nunez leading the line.
Federico Valverde captains Uruguay, supported by a midfield featuring Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Agustin Canobbio, Maxi Araujo and Juan Manuel Sanabria.
Spain top Group H with four points, while Uruguay sit second on two points and will be looking for a result to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Sebastian Caceres, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera; Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Agustin Canobbio, Maxi Araujo, Juan Manuel Sanabria; Darwin Nunez.
Spain: Unai Simon; Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella; Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Bielsa's tactics are always interesting, but Uruguay's squad depth looks thin. Nunez needs to step up big time if they want to reach the knockouts. Spain looking very balanced under De la Fuente, though I'm not sure about dropping Olmo and Williams.
As an Indian football fan, I'm just happy to see Rodri captaining Spain—what a player! And Yamal's rise is like a fairy tale. Uruguay's midfield of Ugarte, Bentancur, and Valverde is solid but lacks creativity. Spain should win comfortably if they avoid complacency. 🇪🇸⚽
Loving the rotation from De la Fuente—Merino and Baena deserve a chance after coming off the bench last game. Uruguay's defense looks vulnerable with Muslera starting, he's past his prime. Darwin Nunez needs to prove he can deliver on the big stage, otherwise Spain's backline will eat him alive.
Yamal starting is a bold move but totally justified after his cameo against Saudi Arabia. Spain's tiki-taka meets Bielsa's chaos—this could be a fascinating tactical battle! Uruguay's hopes rest on Valverde's leadership, but Spain's depth is just too much. Hoping for a cracker of a match! 🎉
I've got mixed feelings about dropping Olmo and Williams—they were electric last game! But Merino and Baena offer more defensive solidity, which might be needed against a physical Uruguay side. Nunez vs Laporte and
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