Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has said that Pau Cubarsi has a chance of being involved in Sunday’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Netherlands despite suffering an ankle issue in the first leg on Thursday night.
Cubarsi was forced off in the latter stages of the first half in Rotterdam, and De la Fuente revealed after the match that the 18-year-old had suffered a minor sprain.
However, the issue is not as serious as first feared, and there is a chance that the Barcelona centre-back could be available for the return fixture on Sunday night.
“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,” the Spain boss told reporters after the 2-2 draw. “It doesn’t seem too serious, but there are only a few days left to recover, we have to be cautious.”
Spain led early on against Netherlands through Nico Williams before Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders struck to send Ronald Koeman‘s side ahead, but Mikel Merino scored a last-gasp leveller for La Roja, as the spoils were shared in Rotterdam.
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Cubarsi could be available for Spain’s return game with Netherlands
It would be a surprise to see Cubarsi in action in the second leg considering the quick turnaround, and Barcelona will be desperate to avoid any risks when it comes to their teenage star at this stage of the campaign.
Indeed, the Catalan giants are back in action on March 27, taking on Osasuna in La Liga, while they are also battling to win the Champions League and Copa del Rey in the latter stages of the campaign.
Cubarsi has been a vital player for Barcelona this season, scoring once and providing three assists in 42 appearances, and Hansi Flick‘s side will already be missing Ronald Araujo for their next game against Osasuna due to international commitments.
Dean Huijsen benefitted from Cubarsi’s issue to make his debut for Spain, with the 19-year-old rewarded with a call-up courtesy of his excellent form for Bournemouth during the 2024-25 campaign.
“It’s great news for us. He has shown that he is an extraordinary player and that he can help us a lot. He has shown maturity and that he is not impressed at all,” De la Fuente added on Thursday night.
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De la Fuente brands Netherlands “a powerful team”
The Spain head coach also claimed that his side will need to be at their best to overcome Netherlands in the second leg of the Nations League.
“It’s very difficult to beat a team like the Netherlands. It has been a match of alternatives, as planned,” he said.
“We knew that it was going to be resolved by details, and so it has been. They are a powerful team. We are very satisfied and even more so after four months without competing.
“It is true that their third goal could have come, as well as our second with [Alvaro] Morata’s header. It’s going to be very difficult for us to win in Valencia. I have no doubt.”
Spain have called Lazio’s Mario Gila into their squad ahead of Sunday’s match, with the 24-year-old on standby while Cubarsi is assessed.
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