Gila: Lazio defender replaces injured Cubarsi in Spain national team squad

Lazio defender Mario Gila has been called up as a last-minute replacement to Luis De La Fuente’s Spain national team squad to cover for the injured Pau Cubarsi, who went off just before half-time in Thursday evening’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. 

Spain and the Netherlands were held to a 2-2 draw at De Kuip in Rotterdam; Nico Williams opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes, Cody Gakpo and Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders put the hosts back in front before Mikel Merino’s late leveller. 

Cubarsi was taken off just before the half-time interval as he appeared to be struggling with an ankle issue following a strong challenge by Corinthians forward Memphis Depay. 

Cubarsi has since been sent home from national team duty for further treatment with club doctors at Barcelona, which has led De La Fuente to call up Gila for the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final on Sunday. 

Gila replaces injured Cubarsi in Spain squad

Gila is due to travel straight to Valencia to meet up with his international teammates, where they will play the Netherlands again at the Mestalla on Sunday, 

Gila has never previously been capped at senior international level, but has nine caps from the Spain U21 side. 

The 24-year-old has been a constant in the Lazio starting line-up over the course of the 2024-25 season, and has started in all but one of the Biancocelesti’s last 26 league outings.