Lamine Yamal Cleared to Play Against Saudi Arabia After Hamstring Recovery

Spain forward Lamine Yamal said he is ready to play against Saudi Arabia on Sunday but added that it is not yet the moment to play a full 90 minutes. Yamal entered Spain's World Cup opening match against Cape Verde in the 71st minute after recovering from a hamstring injury. Spain drew 0-0.

"I feel really good. I'm excited above all, I've been off the field for a long time. I feel good physically, I'm ready for whatever the boss wants. I know that doesn't mean I'm going to play, but I'm ready," Yamal said in an interview with Spanish television on Friday.

"It's very early, it's unnecessary [to play 90 minutes], I have a process of adaptation, it isn't the moment to play a full game but I'll play the minutes the boss wants," he added. 29 and took 27 shots against Cape Verde. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente said after the match that Spain were hampered by only being able to play Yamal for 30 minutes. "As soon as Lamine came on, he changed how [Cape Verde] were playing," de la Fuente said. "It was the amount of time we thought he could play.

Teammate Pau Cubarsi said Spain has a spectacular, magnificent squad and that all players can perform at the highest level. "We all know how good Lamine is, so if he can get in, he will help us a lot. But I think those who can make up for it will do it just as well or better," Cubarsi said at a news conference Friday.

Cubarsi added that Spain has to take a step forward. "We have to give our all, because it's like a final. I think the whole team knows the importance of this match. I think we're going to give it our all, as we have always done.