Spain’s last-16 victory over Portugal at the 2026 World Cup was billed as a clash between generations: teenage sensation Lamine Yamal against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players in football history. Spain reached the quarter-finals thanks to Mikel Merino’s dramatic stoppage-time winner. However, the match also showed why Yamal’s influence extends far beyond goals. Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes kept the teenager under tight control, limiting his trademark runs and forcing him away from the areas where he is usually most dangerous. Even so, Yamal remained a constant threat. He forced an excellent save from Diogo Costa and repeatedly unsettled the…