GOAT and Lamine Yamal: Spain’s Superstar Makes World Cup History

Lamine Yamal arrived, saw, and scored. In his debut World Cup start, the 18-year-old FC Barcelona prodigy netted his first World Cup goal.

This marked the beginning of a dominant 4-0 (3-0) victory on Sunday against Saudi Arabia, serving as the European champions’ first step towards redemption after their embarrassing goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening match.

However, Lamine Yamal wouldn’t be Lamine Yamal if his goal didn’t also carry historical significance. The precocious supertalent is now only the second player, aged 18 or younger, to score the opening goal in a World Cup match.

The other player to achieve this feat was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously known as Pelé. He accomplished this nearly 70 years ago. The Brazilian legend, who passed away in 2022, scored the winning goal for his country in the 1958 quarter-finals in Sweden against Wales. Pelé was just 17 years old at the time.

Lamine Yamal Shines, Then Mikel Oyarzabal Takes Over

Against Saudi Arabia, Lamine Yamal started a match for the first time since April. Due to a hamstring tear sustained in the closing stages of the championship, the right-winger had been sidelined for several weeks, only making his comeback as a substitute for 19 minutes against Cape Verde.

Alongside Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal was a standout performer against Saudi Arabia. The 29-year-old from Real Sociedad San Sebastian not only assisted Lamine Yamal’s goal but also scored the second and third goals himself. With these goals, Oyarzabal avenged his personal World Cup disappointment from the first group game.

«I am very happy that we turned things around. We proved it on the field,» he stated.

With four points and a significantly positive goal difference, Spain is on track for the round of 16. Their final group H opponent will be Uruguay next Saturday night (2 AM).

Spain — Saudi Arabia 4:0 (3:0): Match Details