New Jersey, July 17: Spain has begun preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina. However, concerns are mounting regarding the fitness of Lamin Yamal and Pedro Porro ahead of the title match. During the first training session in New Jersey, young star Lamin Yamal and defender Pedro Porro did not practice with the rest of the team. Instead, both players engaged in light exercises and stretching on the sidelines.
Yamal had a bandage on his left thigh, having suffered a hamstring strain before the tournament began. The severity of his injury has not been disclosed. According to a report from ‘Diario AS’, he was kept separate from the main group as a precaution to avoid any impact on his fitness before the final.
So far in this World Cup, Yamal has been active for 496 minutes. Except for one match against Cape Verde, he has started in every game. Although he has not yet regained his full form after returning from injury, he performed well in the semi-final against France. His speed and excellent movement earned Spain a penalty, giving the team an early lead.
On the other hand, Pedro Porro has started in five of Spain’s seven matches, spending a total of 444 minutes on the field. He scored goals against Austria in the Round of 32 and France in the semi-final. After the semi-final, Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente mentioned that Porro is experiencing mild muscle tightness and will undergo a fitness assessment before the final.
The coach also expressed confidence in Yamal’s condition, stating that the medical team has indicated there are no serious issues and that he is doing well. This match on Sunday will be particularly significant for Spain, marking their first World Cup final since becoming champions for the first time in 2010. Argentina, on the other hand, aims to win the World Cup for the fourth time, having previously triumphed in 1978, 1986, and 2022.
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