Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa admits his team face a tough test at World Cup 2026 later today when they come up against Lamine Yamal and Spain.
La Roja are one of the favorites for victory at the tournament, with Yamal having scored his first World Cup goal on his first start last time out against Saudi Arabia.
Bielsa was asked about Yamal and his plans to face Spain ahead of the game.
“He’s a game-changer. There will be arguments with the player who regularly faces him over position on the field. There will be help
from the Uruguayan players to overshadow him because he’s a game-changer and a decisive player,” he told reporters.
“Do what we always do. Against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde we had ups and downs; what I want is for the team to be dynamic, to take the lead, and for us to be able to do so against a superior opponent to the previous two.
“Spain’s style of play is based on teamwork. Creating plays is a priority in all aspects of their game, so defending will be crucial and won’t be easy. One of the best ways to defend is to limit the opponent’s possession, and we’ll try to do just that.”
Uruguay’s preparations for the game have been marred by talk of unrest in the camp, with claims players are unhappy with Bielsa’s tactics and intense training sessions.
