Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal answered doubts about his fitness and focus with a dazzling performance in the World Cup, scoring his first goal in a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia. The 18-year-old forward, who had been recovering from a hamstring injury, started his first full match and found the net after just 10 minutes, joining Brazilian legend Pele as the only player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup game.
Yamal stayed on the pitch until the 64th minute, completing 88 percent of his passes and making six attempts on goal, as Spain dominated. The goal came amid a backdrop of playful taunts from Saudi fans, who had chanted “Where is Yamal?” in the streets of Atlanta. The teenager responded on social media with a simple Instagram post: “I’m here.”
Beyond his football, Yamal has drawn attention for his activism. The Muslim son of a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother, he has publicly supported the Palestinian cause and criticized Islamophobic chants. After scoring, he performed the sujoud, a Muslim act of prostration, and flashed his signature “304” celebration, referencing his childhood neighborhood’s postal code.
Despite the scrutiny, Yamal remains focused on improvement. “I see myself as much better than people see me,” he told El Pais. “I have a long way to go, a lot to improve, and a lot of football.”
Spain’s emphatic win puts them in a strong position in the group, with Yamal proving he is ready to carry the weight of expectations.