Yamal and Williams to lead Spain in start of Nations League defense

MADRID (AP) — Euro 2024 stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are back on Spain’s squad to lead the start of its Nations League title defense.

Coach Luis de la Fuente announced his squad list Friday for the first two games of the competition. He stuck with the same block of players who won the European Championship in July when Yamal and Williams ignited the tournament.

Spain visits Serbia on Sept. 5 and Switzerland on Sept. 8 to start the Nations League.

The only newcomers to the squad are Celta Vigo right back Óscar Mingueza and Valencia midfielder Pepelu. De al Fuente brought back Aleix García, Pau Torres, Yeremy Pino and Robert Sánchez after they missed the Euros.

First-choice goalkeeper Unai Simón, the hero of last year’s Nations League final, and striker Álvaro Morata are absent due to injuries.

Spain is enjoying a dominant run in soccer. Its men also won the Olympic gold this summer while its women won the 2023 World Cup.

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Spain:

Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Robert Sánchez (Chelsea).

Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Óscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Pau Torres (Aston Villa), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Pepelu (Valencia), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Aleix García (Bayer Leverkusen), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona).

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremi Pino (Villarreal), Ayoze Pérez (Villarreal), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Joselu Mato (Al Gharafa).

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer