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Spain Star Lamine Yamal On His 1st World Cup Goal: 'A Dream Come …
Spain Star Lamine Yamal On His 1st World Cup Goal: 'A Dream Come …
Welcome to theWorld Cup, Lamine Yamal. Welcome to the World Cup, Spain.
Teenage superstar Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first start on soccer’s biggest stage and Spain kickstarted its campaign with the 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.
The 18-year-old forward slid in at the far post to touch home a low cross for the opening goal and became the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history. More importantly, he settled Spanish nerves after the European champion was held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in its opening game.
"The first game wasn’t really us, it was different, but now we’ve arrived, and we’re going for more," Yamal said.
In a tournament that has already seen Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane get off to flying starts, Yamal's strike saw him join the party.
"I’ve always dreamed of being at a World Cup, and being able to score in my first match as a starter is a dream," he said. "I watched the last World Cup from a classroom so being able to score here with my mum and my family in the stands is a dream come true."
The Barcelona winger is already consi…
Yamal scores on injury return as Spain beats Saudi Arabia
Yamal scores on injury return as Spain beats Saudi Arabia
Lamine Yamal’s return sparked Spain’s World Cup into life as the European champions ran riot to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta.Making his first start in two months after a hamstring injury, Yamal ended La Roja’s long wait for a World Cup goal just 10 minutes in.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Mikel Oyarzabal then struck twice to put Luis de la Fuente’s men 3-0 up inside 24 minutes.De la Fuente’s careful management of Yamal’s minutes continued as the Barcelona superstar was replaced at half-time before Hassan al-Tambakti’s own goal rounded off the scoring.Victory propels Spain to the top of Group H ahead of Uruguay’s meeting with Cape Verde later on Sunday.Billed as one of the pre-tournament favorites, Spain got off to a slow start in a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde.A pedestrian performance despite dominating possession only highlighted the importance of Yamal to their quest to be world champions for a second time.De la Fuente
Yamal scores on injury return as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia - RFI
Yamal scores on injury return as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia - RFI
Yamal scores on injury return as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia
Atlanta (AFP) –
Lamine Yamal's return sparked Spain's World Cup into life as the European champions ran riot to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta.
Issued on:
21/06/2026 - 20:10
Modified:
21/06/2026 - 21:06
3 min
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Lamine Yamal scored Spain's first goal of the 2026 World Cup © Justin Setterfield / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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Making his first start in two months after a hamstring injury, Yamal ended La Roja's long wait for a World Cup goal just 10 minutes in.
Mikel Oyarzabal then struck twice to put Luis de la Fuente's men 3-0 up inside 24 minutes.
De la Fuente's careful management of Yamal's minutes continued as the Barcelona superstar was replaced at half-time before Hassan al-Tambakti's own goal rounded off the scoring.
"We had to recover good feelings, correct a few things from the last game, but we need to keep improving if we want to achieve our target of getting to the final on July 19," said De la Fuente.
Victory propels Spain to the top of Group H ahead of Uruguay's meeting with Cape Verde later on Sunday.
Bill…
Yamal shatters Mbappe's record as Spain storm into FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Yamal shatters Mbappe's record as Spain storm into FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Spain's Lamine Yamal has etched his name in history, becoming the youngest European player to achieve 10 major tournament victories at just 18 years old. He surpassed Kylian Mbappe's record by a significant margin during Spain's dominant 3-0 win over Austria. Despite an injury setback, Yamal showcased his electrifying form, earning Player of the Match. Spain's flawless defensive record continues as they advance to face Portugal.
All the Goals! Spain vs. Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup 2026
All the Goals! Spain vs. Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup 2026
Goal for Spain! The Spanish national team opened the scoring against Saudi Arabia thanks to a brilliant finish from Lamine Yamal. The young attacker found space inside the box and fired the ball into the back of the net to give La Roja the lead.
This goal marks his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. At just 18 years old, the Spanish prodigy continues to add milestones to a career that promises to define an era, leaving his mark on the biggest stage in international football.
Goal for Spain! Mikel Oyarzabal doubled La Roja’s advantage in the 21st minute. The Spanish forward took advantage of a well-worked attacking move to beat the Saudi goalkeeper and make it 2-0 on the scoreboard.
Goal for Spain! Just three minutes later, Mikel Oyarzabal struck again to complete his brace. The Spanish attacker found the back of the net once more in the 24th minute, finishing another dangerous attacking move to make it 3-0 and cap off Spain’s impressive start against Saudi Arabia.
Goal for Spain!La Roja continue to extend their lead at the start of the second half thanks to Marc Cucurella. The Spanish defender joined the attack and …
Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Lamine Yamal off mark at World Cup 2026
Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Lamine Yamal off mark at World Cup 2026
Yamal makes a goalscoring return for Spain as European champions get their World Cup campaign back on track.
Lamine Yamal, 18, announces himself as a World Cup phenom as Spain ...
Lamine Yamal, 18, announces himself as a World Cup phenom as Spain ...
FIFA World
Cup 2026
Lamine Yamal took only 10 minutes to score his first World Cup goal(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Lamine Yamal did not wait long to make his mark on his first World Cup start.
The 18-year-old Barcelona attacker sparked a riotous performance from Spain against Saudi Arabia, scoring after 10 minutes to set his team on their way to a 4-0 victory which all but confirmed their place in the last 32.
It was the perfect antidote for Spain, whose status as pre-tournament favourites had been dented bythe 0-0 draw with Cape Verdein their opening game. Yamal was only able to make a cameo appearance in that match as he recovered from injury: he was fit to start here, and it transformed his team.
The Athleticexamines the major talking points from Atlanta.
Yamal’s preparations for the World Cup were far from ideal. He was fighting to return to full fitness aftersuffering a left hamstring injury in April, and was unable to contribute properly during just 19 minutes in that shock draw with Cape Verde.Meanwhile, fellow superstars Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior all go…
Yamal sparks Spain’s World Cup push as Cape Verde hold Uruguay
Yamal sparks Spain’s World Cup push as Cape Verde hold Uruguay
Spain reignited their World Cup campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday, while debutants Cape Verde continued their impressive run by holding Uruguay to anothe...
Mikel Oyarzabal fires Spain past Austria to World Cup last 16
Mikel Oyarzabal fires Spain past Austria to World Cup last 16
INGLWOOD, Calif. --Mikel Oyarzabalscored twice asSpaincruised into the World Cup round of 16 with a 3-0 win overAustriaat SoFi Stadium on Thursday to extend their unbeaten streak to 34 games.
After an underwhelming group stage, which included a surprise draw withCape Verde, Spain now head with fresh momentum toward a last-16 meeting with eitherPortugalorCroatiaon Monday in Arlington, Texas.
It also marked a significant hurdle overcome for one of the pre-tournament favorites, with Thursday's result their first knockout win at the World Cup since they beatNetherlandsin the 2010 final.
After a group-stage exit in 2014 and failures at the first knockout hurdle in the last two tournaments, Oyarzabal became the first Spanish player to score a World Cup knockout goal since Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner in the final in South Africa.
The Real Sociedad striker first found the net with a first-time finish in the 34th minute after fine buildup play involvingPedriandMarc Cucurella. And he put the cap on Spain's dominant win after another cross from Cucurella and another cool finish past the Austria goalkeeper.
It took Oyar…
FC Barcelona rising superstar Lamine Yamal made his World Cup debut today when he started for the Spain national team against Saudi Arabia. And, the 18-year-old winger made immediate impact, breaking ...
FC Barcelona rising superstar Lamine Yamal made his World Cup debut today when he started for the Spain national team against Saudi Arabia. And, the 18-year-old winger made immediate impact, breaking the deadlock just ten minutes into the game to put La Roja in front. Two more goals...
Read more:
Yamal scores 1st World Cup goal as Spain rout Saudi Arabia - ESPN.com
Yamal scores 1st World Cup goal as Spain rout Saudi Arabia - ESPN.com
Lamine Yamalneeded just 10 minutes of his first start at a World Cup to get his first goal on soccer's biggest stage.
The 18-year-old forward slid in at the far post to open the scoring forSpainin their 4-0 win overSaudi Arabiain Atlanta on Sunday.
-How teams can qualify for knockout round
"It's special," Yamal told DAZN. "I've always dreamed about being at a World Cup and being able to score in my first start is a dream.
"I watched the last World Cup in class at school. Being here is great, I'm very proud for my mother and my family ... [I dedicate the goal] to my mother, my girlfriend, to my friends, and everyone at home in Mataro as well."
Yamal missed the end ofBarcelona's season with a hamstring injury and was used as a second-half substitute when Spain were held to a surprising 0-0 draw withCape Verdein their opening match.
His goal was the first of a flurry of first-half goals from Spain as one of the pre-tournament favorites got their quest for a second World Cup title back on track.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who was criticized for not touching the ball at all in the first 30 minutes of Spain's draw with C…
Lamine Yamal scores after 10 minutes of his first start at the World Cup
Lamine Yamal scores after 10 minutes of his first start at the World Cup
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Saudi Arabia during the World Cup Group H soccer match in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
ATLANTA (AP) — Welcome to theWorld Cup, Lamine Yamal. Welcome to the World Cup, Spain.
Teenage superstar Yamalscored 10 minutes into …
Yamal scores 1st World Cup goal as Spain rout Saudi Arabia
Yamal scores 1st World Cup goal as Spain rout Saudi Arabia
Lamine Yamalneeded just 10 minutes of his first start at a World Cup to get his first goal on soccer's biggest stage.
The 18-year-old forward slid in at the far post to opening the scoring forSpainin their 4-0 win overSaudi Arabiain Atlanta on Sunday.
-How teams can qualify for knockout round
Yamal missed the end ofBarcelona's season with a hamstring injury and was used as a second-half substitute when Spain was held to a surprise 0-0 draw withCape Verdein its opening match.
His goal was the first of a flurry of first-half goals from Spain as one of the pre-tournament favorites got their quest for a second World Cup title back on track.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who was criticized for not touching the ball at all in the first 30 minutes of Spain's draw with Cape Verde, not only provided the assist for Yamal, but scored two more goals -- in the 21st and 24th.
Spain are now in pole position to clinch a place in the knockout stage ahead of their final group game againstUruguayin Guadalajara on Thursday. Uruguay and Cape Verde meet in their second games of the tournament later on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia, who drew with Uruguay in th…
Why Lamine Yamal subbed out at halftime of Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
Why Lamine Yamal subbed out at halftime of Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
WORLD CUP
Men's World Cup
Add Topic
Why Lamine Yamal subbed out at halftime of Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
Seth Vertelney
USA TODAY
Updated June 21, 2026, 3:35 p.m. ET
Hear this story
Lamine Yamal got the start against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 21,
scored a goal
, and then exited the World Cup match at halftime.
Yamal came off the bench in Spain's opener against Cape Verde, his first appearance since suffering a
season-ending hamstring injury
in April.
The 18-year-old could not prevent Spain from a shocking 0-0 draw against the Blue Sharks, but he was instrumental against Saudi Arabia, scoring the opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
After Yamal's goal, Mikel Oyarzabal scored a first-half brace to give Spain a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente opted to take both Yamal and Oyarzabal off at the break with La Roja holding a big advantage.
La Roja scored once more in the second half to secure a 4-0 win.
Why was Yamal subbed off at halftime?
After the game, De la Fuente said Yamal was fully fit, though Oyarzabal was a different story.
Yamal played the final 20 minutes against Cape Verde, and saw hi…
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia box score: Full stats from World Cup Group H ...
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia box score: Full stats from World Cup Group H ...
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Billy Heyen
Imagn Images
Spain needed a bounceback, and that's exactly what the Spanish national team got.
After their draw against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia posed no such issues for Spain -- which won 4-0 on Sunday in Atlanta.
Lamine Yamal scored the opener in his first start of the tournament, marking his firstWorld Cupgoal.
Mikel Oyarzabal notched the next two to take a 3-0 lead to the half.
An own goal in the second half concluded the scoring.
Saudi Arabia will need a big margin of victory in its final matchup of the group stage, against Cape Verde, to have a chance of advancing.
Spain still plays Uruguay and will have work to do to avoid a matchup with Argentina in the Round of 32.
Below, we kept track of the action as it happened.
Explaining abbreviations:ESP|KSA
MORE:Eloy Room leads Curacao to astounding World Cup history
MORE:How Folarin Balogun's mom being too pregnant to fly led him to USMNT
-4-0 Spain, 49' --Own goal comes off the back of Hassan Al-Tambakti…
Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain bounce back with thumping win over Saudi Arabia
Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain bounce back with thumping win over Saudi Arabia
The European champions put their shock opening draw against Cape Verde behind them with a crushing 4-0 defeat of Saudi Arabia on Sunday to move top of Group H and get their World Cup campaign back on track. Lamine Yamal needed just 10 minutes of his first start on football's biggest stage to get his first goal.
Lamine Yamal's first FIFA World Cup goal puts him alongside Messi and Pele
Lamine Yamal's first FIFA World Cup goal puts him alongside Messi and Pele
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal etched his name alongside some of football’s greatest icons after scoring his first FIFA World Cup goal in Sunday’s Group H clash against Saudi Arabia at the Atlanta Stadium.
The 18-year-old opened the scoring in the 11th minute, becoming one of the youngest players ever to find the net on football’s biggest stage. At 18 years and 343 days, Yamal scored his maiden World Cup goal just 14 days younger than Lionel Messi was when the Argentine legend netted his first FIFA World Cup goal at 18 years and 357 days.
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The Barcelona star also joined an exclusive club featuring only one other player. According to Opta, Yamal is just the second footballer aged 18 or younger to open the scoring for his country in a FIFA World Cup match, after Brazilian legend Pele, who achieved the feat as a 17-year-old against Wales in 1958.
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The goal added another milestone to
Yamal’s
rapidly growing list of achievements. Opta statistics show that he is now the youngest player in history to score in both the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, underlining his …
Lamine Yamal goal for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia Group H World Cup match
Lamine Yamal goal for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia Group H World Cup match
WORLD CUP
Spain Men's National Soccer Team
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Watch Lamine Yamal score for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia in World Cup Group H match
Alicia Del Gallo
USA TODAY
Updated June 21, 2026, 12:48 p.m. ET
Hear this story
Editor's note:
Follow Spain vs. Saudi Arabia LIVE
Lamine Yamal scored his first
2026 World Cup
goal for Spain with an 11th-minute strike against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 21.
The goal gave Spain a 1-0 lead in the crucial Group H match. Spain, a favorite to win the whole tournament, started the World Cup with a shock 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
Here's a replay of the goal:
After Yamal's goal,
Mikel Oyarzabal scored a first-half brace
to give Spain a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Yamal is making his 27th international appearance for Spain, starting for the first time after
coming in off the bench
for his team's draw against Cape Verde.
Yamal, an 18-year-old phenom for Barcelona, was still recovering from a
season-ending hamstring injury
he suffered in April. As one of the World Cup's biggest stars, Yamal also drew attention for
his trip to Walmart
upon arrival in the United States.
Group H is chaotic. Every tea…
Lamine Yamal says ‘I’m here’: Spain star dazzles with World Cup goal
Lamine Yamal says ‘I’m here’: Spain star dazzles with World Cup goal
The 18-year-old scores his first World Cup goal within 10 minutes against Saudi Arabia in sublime display of his skills.
Fifa World Cup 2026: Spain Vs Saudi Arabia
Spain: 4 Saudi Arabia: 0 Final
Teenage star Lamine Yamal opened the floodgates in the 10th minute, sliding in a low cross to score his first-ever.
Yamal joins Pele: Spain's Barca teenagers rewrite World Cup history books in style
Yamal joins Pele: Spain's Barca teenagers rewrite World Cup history books in style
In a historic moment, Spain witnessed young talents Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí become the first teenage pair to start a World Cup knockout match since the legendary Pelé and Altafini in 1958. Yamal shone brightly, earning the Man of the Match title despite struggling with a hamstring concern, while Cubarsí delivered an impeccable defensive performance.
Corroboration
No verdict, no pronouncement. The model extracts atomic factual claims with verbatim quotes; every quote is validated against the source text and corroboration is computed by counting how many editorially-opposed blocs assert each fact. 3 fabricated/unverifiable quotes were rejected by the cite-or-die gate.
The spine · 6 facts corroborated across ≥2 opposed blocs
5×cross-perspective · 4Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal ten minutes into his first start against Saudi Arabia.
gulfindiaotherqatarwestern
alarabiya“Yamal ended La Roja’s long wait for a World Cup goal just 10 minutes in.”
aljazeera“The 18-year-old scores his first World Cup goal within 10 minutes against Saudi Arabia”
bluesky“breaking the deadlock just ten minutes into the game to put La Roja in front.”
france24“Lamine Yamal needed just 10 minutes of his first start on football's biggest stage to get his first goal.”
foxsports.com“Teenage superstar Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first start on soccer’s biggest stage”
timesofindia“Yamal shone brightly, earning the Man of the Match title despite struggling with a hamstring concern”
4×cross-perspective · 3Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in the World Cup match.
gulfotherturkeywestern
alarabiya“beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta.”
dailysabah“dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia”
france24“crushing 4-0 defeat of Saudi Arabia”
foxsports.com“4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia”
2×cross-perspective · 2The Spain‑Saudi Arabia match was played in Atlanta.
gulfother
alarabiya“in Atlanta.”
foxsports.com“in Atlanta on Sunday.”
2×cross-perspective · 3Lamine Yamal started the match, making his first World Cup start.
gulfwestern
alarabiya“Making his first start in two months after a hamstring injury”
bluesky“made his World Cup debut today when he started”
france24“first start on football's biggest stage”
2×cross-perspective · 2Spain moved to the top of Group H after the win over Saudi Arabia.
gulfwestern
alarabiya“Victory propels Spain to the top of Group H”
france24“to move top of Group H”
3×cross-perspective · 3Spain’s previous World Cup match was a 0‑0 draw with Cape Verde.
gulfotherwestern
alarabiya“slow start in a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde”
france24“shock opening draw against Cape Verde”
foxsports.com“was held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Cape Verde”
Single-source · 8 — reported by one bloc only (uncorroborated)
Lamine Yamal had been out for two months with a hamstring injury before his start.
alarabiya
Lamine Yamal was substituted at half‑time.
alarabiya
Lamine Yamal became the eighth‑youngest scorer in World Cup history.
foxsports.com
Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí were the first teenage pair to start a World Cup knockout match since Pelé and Altafini in 1958.
timesofindia
Lamine Yamal earned the Man of the Match title in the Saudi Arabia game.
timesofindia
Luis de la Fuente is the coach of the Spain national team.
alarabiya
Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice in the match against Saudi Arabia.
alarabiya
Lamine Yamal said he had always dreamed of scoring in his first match as a starter at a World Cup.
foxsports.com
Framing · 5 — loaded language surfaced (spin shown, not adopted)
aljazeera
“sublime display of his skills”
→ sublime display of his skills
france24
“crushing 4-0 defeat”
→ crushing 4-0 defeat
dailysabah
“dominant 4-0 win”
→ dominant 4-0 win
timesofindia
“historic moment”
→ historic moment
timesofindia
“rewrite World Cup history books in style”
→ rewrite World Cup history books in style
Entities
FIFAorg
Spainplace
Saudi Arabiaplace
RFIorg
Spainorg
SAUDI ARABIAorg
Yamalplace
Lamine Yamalperson
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