Players · 2026-07-09

17 and Counting: Yamal is the World Cup's Dribble King — and Belgium's Biggest Problem

Lamine Yamal leads all players at the 2026 World Cup with 17 completed dribbles — a number that explains why Belgium's preparations ahead of Friday's quarter-final have revolved around one Spanish teenager above everything else.

The statistic that best defines Spain's attack at this World Cup is not a goal tally or a pass completion rate. It is 17 — the number of dribbles Lamine Yamal has completed across five tournament matches, more than any other player in the competition. At 18 years old, against opposition specifically assigned to stop him, Spain's right winger wins more one-versus-one duels than anyone else in the field. Belgium spent their preparation week thinking about that number.

Luis de la Fuente offered Yamal the highest praise he could give after the Portugal match — Spain's 1-0 win in Dallas that eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's side from the tournament. The Spain coach told reporters that Yamal had 'played one of the most important matches of his life' against Portugal. Against a side known for the intensity of their pressing and the physicality of their defensive block, Yamal won 10 ground duels in a single match. He was the player Portugal could not stop. It is the same problem Belgium face on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Thibaut Courtois, Belgium's goalkeeper and one of the most decorated players still in this tournament, was asked in the build-up to the match how Belgium plans to handle Yamal. Courtois acknowledged the danger directly and also warned against letting the focus on Spain's teenager become a tactical tunnel — a side with Spain's depth will punish you elsewhere if you commit too many resources to one player. It is the correct tactical analysis. It is also the dilemma that Yamal's dribble numbers create.

Spain play Belgium on July 10 with a 35-game unbeaten record and no goals conceded in any knockout match at this tournament. Yamal's 17 completed dribbles have been part of the engine behind both statistics. The count will be closely watched in Los Angeles. For Belgium, stopping the number from growing is the task that sits above all others — and Courtois, more than anyone, understands the difficulty of what his outfield players have been asked to do.

🔗 Related