Lamine Yamal announced his arrival on football’s biggest stage with a historic goal as Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their World Cup group stage match. The 18-year-old became only the second player under 19 to open the scoring at the tournament, matching a feat achieved by a 17-year-old Pelé for Brazil in 1958.
Yamal, making his first start after carefully managing a hamstring injury suffered in April, needed minutes to justify the anticipation surrounding him. Thousands of supporters wore his name on their shirts in Atlanta, and he repaid their faith by sliding home the opener from a low cross.
The Barcelona teenager is one of only seven players to find the net at the finals before their 19th birthday, managing the achievement two weeks younger than Lionel Messi was when he scored his first World Cup goal in 2006. Former England striker Wayne Rooney told Match of the Day that unlike Messi, who joined a Barcelona side featuring Ronaldinho, Yamal has become the central figure immediately. “It is his team, he is the main man,” Rooney said. “Everyone is looking to him to win.”
Cesar Azpilicueta, who played alongside Yamal for Spain, noted that the forward’s creative instincts cannot be taught. “He knows how to create chances,” the former defender said.
Oyarzabal’s stunning response
While Yamal provided the headline moment, Mikel Oyarzabal delivered a devastating attacking display. The forward scored twice and set up another goal within the opening 25 minutes, becoming only the second player since 1966 to contribute to three goals in the first 25 minutes of a World Cup match.
The performance marked a dramatic turnaround for Oyarzabal, who had gone the opening 30 minutes without a single touch against Cape Verde in Spain’s goalless opening draw—a first in World Cup history.
Looking ahead
Yamal was substituted at half-time as a precaution, with manager Luis de la Fuente carefully managing his workload ahead of Spain’s final group stage match against Uruguay. The comprehensive victory puts Spain in a strong position to advance, offering a stark contrast to their sluggish display against Cape Verde.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking on Match of the Day, questioned how Yamal would handle the weight of expectation. “How can you stay humble enough? That is going to be the big thing,” Frank said.