Why Lamine Yamal was substituted for Spain vs Portugal | OneFootball

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has provided an explanation for his decision to haul Lamine Yamal off prematurely in the country’s latest outing.

Spain were of course back in action on Sunday night, locking horns with Portugal in the finale of the Nations League.

When all was said and done, La Roja found themselves condemned to the wrong side of the result, defeated on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate through extra-time.

The aforementioned Lamine for his part featured from the off in Munich, from his customary berth on the right flank.

With 105 minutes on the clock, though, the 17-year-old was hooked from the action, replaced in Spain’s attack by Yeremy Pino.

Despite Lamine’s limited impact on proceedings on the evening, the decision to take him off early surprised many, with the gifted winger capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of seconds.

Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle, it therefore came as little surprise when his call to substitute Lamine was put to the aforementioned Luis de la Fuente.

And the Spanish tactician went on to explain:

“Why did I take Lamine off? We wanted more energy and punch. He was tired, it’s been a very tough year…”

Conor Laird – GSFN