Football
‘We’ll See How it Goes’ – Spain Boss Luis de la Fuente Issues Pau Cubarsi Injury Update After Nations League Quarter-Final Win
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Get to know Sushan Chakraborty betterPublished21 Mar 2025
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has said Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi could play a part in Sunday’s (23 March) UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash against the Netherlands.
UEFA Nations League holders Spain held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in the quarter-final first leg at De Kuip in Rotterdam on Thursday night, 20 March. Nico Williams drew first blood for La Roja before Cody Gakpo (28′) and Tijjani Reijnders (46′) turned the game around.
The hosts looked on course for a famous win until left-back Jorrel Hato saw a straight red for a reckless challenge in the 81st minute. A man down, the Oranje could not hold on, as substitute Mikel Moreno struck in injury time to seal a 2-2 draw.
Although Spain ultimately secured a positive result, Cubarsi’s first-half injury left a sour taste in their mouth. The 17-year-old hobbled off the field with an ankle issue in the 41st minute, with many fearing a long layoff.
Spain Coach De la Fuente Hoping to Have Barcelona’s Cubarsi Back for Nations League QF Decider
After the match, Spain boss De la Fuente alleviated fears, revealing the injury did not seem “too serious.”
“It’s his ankle, it’s a sprain. We want to try and recover him by Sunday and we’ll see how it goes in the coming days,” said the 2024 European Championship-winning coach (via Sports Mole).
“It doesn’t seem too serious, but there are only a few days left to recover, we have to be cautious.”
Bournemouth’s 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen replaced Cubarsi just before the break, marking his international debut for Spain’s senior team. Playing against a quality opponent in a knockout competition, the debutant remarkably held his own. He completed 53 es with 90% accuracy, created a chance, made a couple of recoveries, and won three duels.
Cubarsi has more big-game experience and has been enjoying a remarkable campaign for the Blaugrana. So, it is understandable why De la Fuente would push to have him in the Nations League quarter-final second leg at the Mestalla. However, if he does not the fitness test before the game, De la Fuente can rest assured knowing he has another teenager competent enough to keep the Dutch forwards at bay.