Lamine Yamal set to face his toughest opponent as Spain take on Portugal at World Cup 2026

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 02: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Spain and Austria at Los Angeles Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images

Lamine Yamal is set to come up against Nuno Mendes next at World Cup 2026 as Spain face Portugal in the last 16 of the tournament.

The Barcelona named Mendes as the “toughest opponent” he’s faced in his career so far in a recent interview but will now come up against the defender on Monday when the two teams meet.

Former Spain and Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado thinks the duel between two players will be absolutely key to the outcome of the match.

“The duel between Lamine and Nuno will be one of the head-to-head matchups of the World Cup. The kind that makes matches and tournaments great. I think that duel will probably be one of the defining moments of the game.

“If Lamine gets the better of Nuno, Spain will have a big advantage… but if it’s the other way around, Portugal will gain the upper hand,” he said, per AS.

“But I trust Lamine, because he has a magic box full of tricks. And when he unleashes them… he’s unstoppable.

“So Nuno will have to bring out his best, that’s clear. It will be a physical duel between speedsters. The kind that breaks down any tactical system or coach’s game plan and unleashes an individual battle.”

Mendes was named Player of the Match and said he “cancelled out” Yamal last summer when the two teams met in the Nations League final.

“It was a clash like many others I have had during the season,” he said afterwards. “I have faced up to many great players, very technically skilled players who can make a difference, but today I cancelled out Lamine and [did] not let him do what he does best.”

The Barcelona teenager will need no reminding of that clash and will hoping to come out on top when the two teams meet again in Dallas.

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