Yamal not in Spain's World Cup starting XI against Cape Verde
· Yahoo Sports
Spain will open their World Cup campaign without star forward Lamine Yamal and winger Nico Williams in the starting XI against Cape Verde on Monday, coach Luis de la Fuente has said.
De La Fuente said on Sunday that he will decide based on the course of the match whether the two players coming off injuries will come on to get some minutes for the European champions.
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Looking at Barcelona's Yamal, he said: "The good news is that Lamine is very fit. He is in good form and training very well. He is available but he won't play from the start."
Spain are big favourites on Monday and also a top contender for the title. Their other games in Group H are against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Cape Verde are rank outsiders as tournament novices but De La Fuente had a lot of praise for them and warned that the game won't be easy.
"They are very well structured tactically, the players are very fast and physically strong. They could become a surprise team. It will be a fight, even if we win," he said.