Yamal and Williams benched for Spain's World Cup opener, Cucurella seals Real Madrid move

Yamal and Williams miss the opener

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams won't start against Cape Verde on Monday. Both wingers were left out of the final warm-up match and are still recovering from injuries ahead of Spain's World Cup opener in Atlanta (9) (12). Luis de la Fuente's medical staff remain confident both will be available for the tournament, but the decision was made to hold them back for the Group H curtain-raiser (9). Yamal looked sharp and technically confident in Spain's training session in Chattanooga, which suggests the call is precautionary rather than a setback (15). You go into the first match with your two most dangerous wide players watching from the bench.

Cucurella to Real Madrid, done

Marc Cucurella has agreed to join Real Madrid from Chelsea in a deal worth £52m (€60m). The Spain left-back will complete the move after the World Cup (5). The reaction from the Chelsea subreddit, as shared by Madrid fans online, is mostly positive, they're losing an excellent player and a leader (Reddit). Marca captured the mood simply: "Soy feliz si Cucurella es feliz", I'm happy if Cucurella is happy (10).

PSG circling Ferran Torres

PSG are interested in Ferran Torres as a potential replacement if Bradley Barcola leaves the French champions this summer (11). Torres has responded to the links, though no formal bid has been lodged yet. The 26-year-old remains part of Spain's World Cup squad and will be focused on the tournament for now.

Squad confidence: "Same as we were then"

Álvaro Morata struck a defiant tone ahead of the tournament. "You choose one. Any one," he said, comparing this Spain squad to the one that won Euro 2024 (8). Rodri, Pedri, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal are all still central figures. The core that lifted the European trophy believes it can go again. The question now is whether the injuries to both wingers disrupt that continuity before it even begins.

Fan reactions

Madrid supporters seem broadly pleased with the Cucurella deal, €55m plus €5m in bonuses looks like good business for a player Chelsea fans rate highly as both a performer and a dressing-room presence. There's a quiet confidence around the squad too, though the Yamal and Williams absences against Cape Verde are the main talking point going into matchday. Read the full discussion.