After Spain's narrow 2-1 victory against Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup on Friday, former international player Cesar Azpilicueta raised concerns about Lamine Yamal's performance. Despite earning the Man of the Match title, Yamal did not contribute directly to any goals, prompting Azpilicueta to express that the young star has more to offer.
Cesar Azpilicueta's Analysis of Yamal's Performance
During his analysis on the BBC, Azpilicueta acknowledged Yamal's ability to create chances and his strong dribbling skills, noting that he completed four successful dribbles and generated an expected assist (xA) of 0.33. However, he pointed out that the Barcelona youngster's game had not translated into goals or assists, saying, "I think he has more to give."
Azpilicueta highlighted the strong defensive play from Belgium's Joaquin Seys, who managed to contain Yamal effectively after coming on in the second half. He remarked, "Lamine Yamal wants the ball and he wants to take defenders on," suggesting that while Yamal is influential in Spain's tactics, he needs to find a way to become more productive in terms of scoring.
The Importance of Yamal in Spain's Semi-Final Matchup
As Spain prepares for their semi-final clash against France, the pressure mounts on Yamal to step up his game. Azpilicueta emphasized that Yamal's current form is not sufficient if Spain hopes to advance against a formidable French side led by Didier Deschamps. He stated, "Now is not the time for Yamal's clinical finishing ability, or supreme chance creation, to leave his body, and he must do more."
