'We're lucky to have him': De la Fuente hails Lamine Yamal's 'magic' performance

[p]The world champions ran riot against their rank no. 12 visitors, solidifying [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/croatia-K8aznggo/spain-bLyo6mco/standings/?mid=2T1rwtCi"]top spot in League A Group 3[/a] with two wins from two matches following a thrilling 3-2 victory over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] at Wembley last weekend. [/p][p]The 2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up was directly involved in each of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a]'s first three goals of the match before being substituted out of the match for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/munoz-victor/EBMXXrd3/"]Victor Munoz[/a] in the 68th minute. [/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lamine-yamal/lAt3vEub/"]Lamine Yamal[/a]'s exit would have been a relief for Croatian left-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gvardiol-josko/86K1f1fd/"]Josko Gvardiol[/a], who was terrorised by his opponent for more than an hour, being dribbled past by Lamine Yamal at least once as the Spaniard made good use of Spain's 64% of possession before half-time.[/p][image alt="Lamine Yamal Player Card" id="551261d5-9843-4cb0-a2be-a4abfa889290" credit-line="Flashscore / Opta by StatsPerform" guid="600de017-57a8-4850-80c7-bdfc776dd697" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]The 19-year-old was Flashscore's player of the match with a rating of 8.7 out of 10 for his two goals and assist, the first time in his 35 national team appearances that he registered three goals or assists in a single match. [/p][p]After the team celebrated their World Cup victory by lifting the trophy in front of a packed Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, it didn't take long for the players to continue the party on the pitch.[/p][p]Lamine Yamal scored in the second minute of a match for the second time in four days - this time opening the scoring after 70 seconds, having done so just 105 seconds after kick-off at Wembley. [/p][p][b]Coupled with eight goals and six assists in just eight LaLiga or Champions League matches for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], Lamine Yamal's explosive performances have seen him surge into favouritism ahead of England's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kane-harry/v5HSlEAa/"]Harry Kane[/a] to go one better and win the Ballon d'Or in four weeks' time.[/b][/p][p]That would see him eclipse the great [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo/KQjvOGor/"]Ronaldo Nazario[/a] and become the youngest winner of football's greatest individual honour.[/p][image alt="Lamine Yamal Form" id="481dacd5-1114-4855-a5b6-ee1bf9e69d2b" credit-line="Flashscore / Opta by StatsPerform" guid="cdfff7da-26a9-4c09-ac8f-46e259e89d01" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said he was "delighted" with Lamine Yamal's two performances against England and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a], hailing the cross to set up [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pubill-pages-marc/8EZ7QILP/"]Marc Pubill[/a]'s header from near the penalty spot as just as good as either of his two strikes. [/p][p]"[b]I don't like to focus too much on individual performances, but sometimes it's impossible not to do so[/b]," De la Fuente said of Lamine Yamal.[/p][p]"Lamine wants to show the world the kind of player he is.[/p][p]"[b]Today we enjoyed his magic again, but he puts his magic at the service of the team.[/b][/p][p]"That says a lot about the player. In the future he'll be even more well known for what he does in his collective play.[/p][p]"[b]We're lucky to have him with us. Within the group, he's very loved.[/b]"[/p][p]Spain continue their pursuit of their second UEFA Nations League title at home to Czech Republic [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/czech-republic-6LHwBDGU/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=88DcZcBG"]in Oviedo on Saturday[/a] before visiting Croatia [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/croatia-K8aznggo/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=GYG5XytT"]next Tuesday night[/a].[/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /][infobox id="d39bc573-b9dd-4b87-acb9-2de1f22d36c7" /]