Spain are being sensible about this one, and honestly good on them. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will not be making the trip to Puebla for Monday's final World Cup warmup against Peru, with the Spanish setup prioritising the fitness of both players ahead of what really matters — the opening group game against Cabo Verde in just over a week's time.
On the face of it, missing a warmup friendly feels like a minor story. But when you consider that Yamal and Williams are essentially the engine that drives Spain's attack, keeping them wrapped in cotton wool right now makes complete sense. These are not players you want limping into a World Cup. They are the reason opposition defenders lose sleep, and Spain will need them firing from the very first whistle.
Yamal, still a teenager and already playing like he has been doing this for a decade, has been carrying a knock, and Williams is in a similar boat. The smart call is exactly what Spain have made here — skip the Peru game, get some rest, get some treatment, and arrive at the tournament ready to go. Nobody is going to remember a friendly result. They will absolutely remember if either of these lads are half fit during the group stage.
Peru will probably enjoy having a slightly less terrifying Spain side to face, which is fair enough for them. But from a Spanish perspective, this is just good squad management. Luis de la Fuente knows what his best team looks like, and it very much includes two wide forwards who can turn a match on its head in the blink of an eye.
Spain go into this World Cup as one of the most exciting teams in the tournament. They play football that is actually fun to watch, which as a Manchester United fan these days is something of a novelty to say about anyone. If Yamal and Williams hit the ground running against Cabo Verde, the rest of the world better be paying attention.
Let me know your thoughts.