Lamine Yamal starts for Spain in World Cup vs Saudi Arabia

sportsJun 21, 2026431,111

Eighteen-year-old Lamine Yamal started for Spain against Saudi Arabia at the World Cup and scored the opening goal within 10 minutes. By starting, Yamal became the first player to start at both the European Championship and a World Cup while 18 or younger. Spain won 4-0, with Mikel Oyarzabal also on the scoresheet, a result that strengthens Spain's position in Group H and underlines Yamal's emergence as a generational attacking talent.

Kevin M. Kruse

@kevinmkruse.bsky.social

Amazing. Cape Verde is still tied with Uruguay for second in Group H, but they get to take on Saudi Arabia in their last match while Uruguay has to go through Spain. I like their odds.

3421h ago

Thomas HD6

They showed Vozinha’s instagram handle on Brazilian news and he went from 50,000 followers to 15,2 million

Ninjahipypirate4

Should have had a PK! What a match!!

markjonesespn.bsky.social

@markjonesespn.bsky.social

Lamine Yamal of Spain..a wizard..only 18 yr old. Crossed his defender..then waited for him to get back to his feet to cook him again. Scored a goal in this game too.

1293h ago

Meghan L. Hall

@itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social

“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.” Lamine Yamal didn't need 90 minutes to make his presence felt. He needed just 10.

802h ago

Kim McCauley

@kimischilling.bsky.social

Kind of completely fucking insane how Lamine Yamal is an established star with expectations of production at age 18

769h ago

Kim McCauley27

Messi and Ronaldo weren't globally well-known prospects making marginal contributions to their national teams until age 19, and it was another 2-3 years after that until they were *the* stars of their teams

Ben Muz2

I was just telling someone about him, knowing he was young but forgot his exact age. I had mentally assumed he was 20. The fact he has over 100 games for Barcelona at 18 feels like football manager stuff

OptaJoe

@optajoe.com

18 - Lamine Yamal is only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a FIFA World Cup match - the other was a 17-year-old Pelé for Brazil v Wales in 1958. Emulating.

Lamine Yamal taps home Spain's opener v Saudi Arabia at the back post.

408h ago

Tim Stillman ⭐️⭐️

@tim-stillman.bsky.social

I reckon having Lamine Yamal has made a difference for Spain #analysis

618h ago

Jason 🌻3

You should be working for the BBC.

Chris Owens PhD2

You could genuinely get a job talking about football.

Chris Vannini

@chrisvannini.com

Cape Verde in its first World Cup ever has tied two former WC champions in Spain and Uruguay. With Saudi Arabia next, The Athletic gives Cape Verde a 67% chance of advancing! www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

491h ago

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò

@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social

Lamine Yamal aren't you having so much fun playing in front of Pedro Porro? come to Spurs

538h ago

Cesar Hernandez

@cesarhfutbol.bsky.social

just putting it out there that Cabo Verde are facing Saudi Arabia in their last game, while Uruguay have to face Spain...

311h ago

ESPN FC

@espnfc-m.bsky.social

Lionel Messi: 18 years and 357 days old Lamine Yamal: 18 years and 343 days old Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal at just 14 days younger than Messi was when he scored his first 😮