Overview
- Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a sliding finish at the far post to give Spain the lead against Saudi Arabia in his first World Cup start.
- He missed the end of Barcelona’s season with a left hamstring tear and had been used as a second-half substitute in Spain’s opening match, raising questions about whether he should start.
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s decision to start Yamal paid off quickly and helped shift first-half momentum in La Roja’s favor.
- Mikel Oyarzabal provided the assist for Yamal’s goal and then scored two more times in the first half to build Spain’s advantage.
- Opta data noted Yamal is only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring at a World Cup, underscoring his youth, his role in Spain’s Euro 2024 run, and the broader view of him as a long-term global talent.