'He loves these kinds of games': De la Fuente backs Lamine Yamal against Portugal

[p]The 18-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] attacker did not score but turned in an eye-catching display in the European champions' statement 3-0 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/austria/naHiWdnt/"]Austria[/a] in the last 32.[/p][p]Speaking on the eve of the clash with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Cristiano Ronaldo[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a] at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lamine-yamal/lAt3vEub/"]Luis de la Fuente[/a] said of Yamal: [b]"He's very well motivated, I know that Lamine loves these kinds of games.[/b][/p][p]"He likes to be the focus, he likes the responsibility, he likes to take the initiative. This is good, he's proactive."[/p][p]He added: [b]"It's truly a pleasure to see a footballer that has these features."[/b][/p][image alt="Lamine Yamal World Cup stats" id="d753fc96-adfb-41ca-a56b-175d7986e8c3" credit-line="StatsPerform via Opta" guid="859c79dc-9e70-4c68-9ee6-5267e5944cf0" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Yamal, a bit like [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] as a team, has grown into the tournament after arriving in North America following a hamstring injury.[/p][p]De la Fuente's side were held 0-0 by debutants [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/MocyWdm7/"]Cape Verde[/a] to start their title charge with a stutter.[/p][p]They have reeled off three wins in a row since without conceding a goal, and De la Fuente said Yamal was aware of his defensive responsibilities against a Portugal team packed with technically superb players.[/p][p][b]"He's always willing to do more. He is very well aware that in his growth, this is something that is required of him,"[/b] the Spain boss said on Sunday.[/p][p]"I am very pleased from what he's doing. The entire team is very pleased with what they're doing."[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/portugal-WvJrjFVN/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=tbTsReVa"]Follow Spain vs Portugal LIVE with Flashscore[/a][/b].[/p]