Yamal Joins Exclusive Club with Historic World Cup Goal

The disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde in their World Cup opener no longer seems to be weighing on the European champions. After just ten minutes, Spain were already 1-0 up against Saudi Arabia. The goalscorer was Lamine Yamal, one of the four new stars included in Luis de la Fuente's starting XI compared to the opening match. Although he said himself he was not fit enough for 90 minutes, he was allowed to start today and put his team ahead in the 10th minute, sliding in from close range after a precise cross from Oyarzabal. At 18 years and 343 days old, he not only became Spain's second-youngest goalscorer at a World Cup (only Gavi was younger in 2022) and scored Spain's fastest World Cup goal in 24 years, but also joined a list that until now had featured one name only: Pelé. Yamal is just the second player under the age of 19 to score the opening goal in a World Cup match. Pelé was even younger when he scored Brazil's first goal in their World Cup match against Wales in 1958. His teammates were also impressive, as by the first drinks break, Spain were already 3-0 up, clearly having long since moved on from the disappointment of the first game. In the second half, they quickly made things even more one-sided. After a shot from Cucurella, the ball deflected off Hassan Al-Tambakti and unfortunately into his own net — 4-0 (49th minute)! That remained the final score.

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