Lamine Yamal Joins Pele and Messi in World Cup Milestone as Spain Beat Saudi Arabia
Spain returned to winning ways at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a convincing 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal in the 11th minute on his first World Cup start. At 18 years and 343 days, he became the eighth youngest scorer in tournament history.
In the FIFA World Cup 2026, Spain returned to winning ways with a commanding 4 0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, ending any concerns after their goalless draw against Cape Verde in the opening match. The spotlight belonged to 18 year old Lamine Yamal, who marked his first World Cup start with a goal in the 11th minute. Yamal found the net by sliding in at the far post to finish a low cross, giving Spain an early advantage. The strike was a historic one, making him the eighth youngest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
At 18 years and 343 days, he scored his maiden World Cup goal just 14 days younger than Lionel Messi was when the Argentine legend scored his first World Cup goal at 18 years and 357 days. According to Opta, Yamal also became only the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal for his country in a World Cup match. The only other player to achieve the feat was Pele, who did so for Brazil against Wales in 1958 at the age of 17.
Having recently recovered from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the end of Barcelona’s season, Yamal justified coach Luis de la Fuente’s decision to start him. Already a key figure in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, the teenager once again showed why he is regarded as one of football’s brightest young stars as Spain’s World Cup campaign got back on track.