Dallas, July 7 -- Following his side's qualification to the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said 18-year-old Lamine Yamal played "one of the most important" matches of his life and will help him grow a lot.

Yamal, hailed as the next big football sensation who will take the baton from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, featured in a clash of generations versus Portugal, with the 41-year-old icon Cristiano Ronaldo on the other side.

It was Yamal's side which eked out a 1-0 win courtesy of a late strike from Mikel Merino, shattering Cristiano's dream of lifting the trophy as the tournament marks his last-ever FIFA WC.

Speaking after the match, de la Fuente said as quoted by Reuters, "For me, Lam...