Spain sent a strong statement at the World Cup on Sunday with a 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia, and all the attention again centered on 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. Making his first tournament start after recovering from a hamstring injury, he scored in the 10th minute for his first World Cup goal and helped the European champions ease to victory. After criticism for their disappointing draw with Cape Verde in the opening round, Spain looked far more like title contenders under Luis de la Fuente, pressing higher, moving the ball faster and showing more creativity and courage.
Yamal’s goal came from close range after a sharp cross went past the Saudi goalkeeper. Beyond the score itself, it was a milestone moment: he became only the seventh player in World Cup history to score before turning 19, and only the second player aged 18 or younger to score a team’s opening goal in the tournament. The only previous player to do that was Pele, who achieved it at the 1958 World Cup at age 17. Yamal said, “It is very special. I always dreamed of playing in the World Cup, and scoring in my first start is a dream come true.” He added that he had watched the previous World Cup “from the classroom at school,” and said, “I am very proud of my mother and my family.”
De la Fuente took Yamal off at halftime with Spain already leading 3-0, saying it was only a workload decision. “He could have played more, but we thought it was enough,” the coach said. “In the next match he may play 90 minutes. He is back and he is fit.” Yamal praised the coach, saying their relationship is excellent and that he is ready to give “100 percent” for Spain.
Comparisons with football’s biggest stars have followed Yamal for some time. Wayne Rooney, working as a pundit, said people now look to him to win matches, compared his rise to Lionel Messi’s early career, and noted that he was important to Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and will be important at this World Cup too. Cesar Azpilicueta also said that with a player so confident and free, “he simply creates things that cannot be taught.”
Spain also got a major contribution from Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored twice and assisted Yamal’s opener. He became only the second player since 1966 to be directly involved in three goals within the first 25 minutes of a World Cup match. Oyarzabal said he did not need to prove himself and felt valued by teammates, the coach and staff. The combination of Oyarzabal and Yamal made Spain’s attack especially dangerous, while Saudi Arabia struggled to cope with the pace.
