Spain took a cautious approach to preparations for Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Argentina after Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro trained separately from the rest of Luis de la Fuente’s squad during Thursday’s session in New Jersey.
The pair worked away from the main group at one of Red Bull New York’s training facilities, raising fresh questions over their fitness just three days before the biggest match of Spain’s tournament. However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) insisted there was no immediate cause for concern, describing the individual sessions as part of normal workload management.
The federation told Reuters both players are expected to be available for the final, with the decision designed to ensure they reach Sunday’s showdown in the best possible condition rather than respond to a serious injury setback.
Porro has carried a fitness issue since Spain’s semi-final victory over France. Luis de la Fuente revealed after that match that the Tottenham Hotspur full-back had been dealing with a knock, while Reuters understands the defender has suffered a minor hamstring strain. The problem is not considered serious, but Spain’s medical staff appear determined not to take unnecessary risks before facing the defending champions.
Yamal’s situation appears even less alarming.
The 19-year-old came through the semi-final without a specific injury, and De la Fuente said afterwards that the Barcelona forward had “nothing”. However, the physical battle with France full-backs Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez left visible signs, with the teenager nursing bruises and muscle soreness after another demanding performance.
Spain’s coaching staff have carefully managed player workloads throughout the tournament, and Thursday’s programme followed that approach. Rather than pushing two key starters through a full session, they opted for tailored recovery work while the rest of the squad completed training.
The opening 15 minutes available to the media offered no signs of concern elsewhere in the camp. The remaining players trained normally in humid conditions, with temperatures reaching around 30 degrees Celsius, as Spain continued adapting to the weather before only their second outdoor match of the tournament.
Managing fatigue could prove as important as tactics in Sunday’s final. Spain have enjoyed an extra day to prepare after controlling France in the semi-finals, while Argentina arrive after a physically demanding comeback victory over England.
Yamal has become one of Spain’s most influential attacking players during the tournament, while Porro has provided energy and width from full-back. Their availability would offer De la Fuente continuity in a side that has impressed with its balance between defensive organisation and quick attacking transitions.
Spain still have two full training sessions before facing Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina at New York-New Jersey Stadium. Based on Thursday’s update, the focus remains on preserving freshness rather than solving a major injury problem, with the expectation inside the Spain camp that both Yamal and Porro will be ready for the World Cup final.
