Spain and Brazil, known for their strong soccer traditions, had a rocky start in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, struggling to secure wins. As they gear up to compete, the importance of the match is clear, with both teams needing a win to boost their chances. However, the absence of key players Lamine Yamal and Endrick affects their attack, creating challenges for both sides.
Even though this is a FIFA tournament, club obligations take priority because the U-20 World Cup is not classified as a major event. As a result, teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona opted to hold back stars like Endrick and Lamine Yamal to prioritize their health and manage their game time effectively. This situation highlights the need to balance nurturing young talent with protecting their future prospects.
Both Lamine and Endrick have achieved remarkable success at a young age. These exceptional players have moved beyond the need for U-20 national team selections. Lamine had a brief time with the U-19 and U-17 teams before moving to the senior squad, while Endrick showcased his skills extensively at the U-23 and U-17 levels.
Despite the absence of star players, both teams are still in contention. Brazil’s coach Ramon Meneses will rely on the talented Luighi to lead their offense, supported by Wesley, who has shown great potential recently. On the other hand, Spain’s coach Paco Gallardo counts on Iker Bravo, Jan Virgili, and Pablo Garcia, all of whom have been impressive in Europe’s top leagues.
Lamine Yamal of Spain during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal.
Can Spain and Brazil still reach the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16?
While Spain and Brazil’s start in the tournament has not been ideal, they still have a chance to move to the round of 16. With only one spot left, a victory is essential for both teams, as it could send one through and eliminate the other. Nonetheless, winning is not enough; they need other results to go their way to advance.
If Spain or Brazil wins today’s match, they will need Mexico, currently one point ahead, to lose their game. This result would allow the winning team to secure second place and progress to the next stage. However, if Morocco loses, that would guarantee second place for Mexico, forcing today’s winner to wait for the group stage results. This situation depends on evaluating the performance of third-placed teams to finalize the next round qualifications.