ATLANTA — According to Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, it’s inappropriate to compare Lamine Yamal to legends like Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona. However, the 18-year-old made such an immediate impact on the Spanish national team that it’s hard not to get a little excited.
De la Fuente had already praised Yamal, referring to him as “a genius” during a Saturday press briefing, likening his talent to that of artists Salvador Dali and Michelangelo: “They’re different. What seems exceptional for us isn’t for them.”
In Spain’s impressive 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, Yamal shone brightly, especially during the first half before the hydration break. While it wasn’t a masterpiece akin to the Sistine Chapel, their performance stood out, particularly after a lackluster 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. This showing reestablished Spain as one of the tournament’s contenders.
Spain’s opening game at the World Cup was disappointing, lacking the urgency and sharpness that would have made it a win, partly due to Yamal spending the final 20 minutes on the pitch as he recovered from a hamstring issue. Back in Atlanta, all eyes were on whether the Barcelona winger would make the starting lineup.
He did start, with De la Fuente making four changes that included Yamal, right back Pedro Porro, and forwards Dani Olmo and Álex Baena, with Ferran Torres, Marcos Llorente, Fabián Ruiz, and Gavi left out. The revisions to the squad were more radical than expected, underscoring the urgency for improvement after Spain’s disappointing debut.
Equally significant was the shift in midfield. By resting Ruiz, Pedri moved deeper, forming a double pivot with Rodri. This is a role where Pedri has thrived at Barcelona, allowing him to control the engagement rather than chase the ball high up the pitch.
As the No. 10, Olmo also performed well. Spain kicked off aggressively, moving the ball faster than they had against Cape Verde just a week earlier. They were relentless in the opening 25 minutes, a stark contrast to the previous game. By the end, Spain held 66.6% possession, created four clear chances, and notched an expected goals (xG) of 2.85 — figures that don’t fully capture their dominance in the first half.
De la Fuente had noted prior to the match that Yamal had to be contained due to his eagerness to impress and live up to the hype.
“Lamine is at a stage where you need to hold him back,” the coach stated. “He has a passion for playing football.”
Yamal exhibited that very desire from the first whistle, eager to impress the fans sporting his name. Just 30 seconds into the game, he touched the ball, outmaneuvered his defender with a skillful trick, and delivered a cross into the six-yard box.
Spain aimed to quickly switch the play to Yamal on the right to give him favorable matchups against a single defender rather than the multiple defenders that often surround him.
In the third minute, Yamal provided another cross followed by an ambitious shot that sailed over the bar. It seemed he might have been trying a bit too hard, eager to seize his moment.
However, he quickly found his stride. Ten minutes in, Mikel Oyarzabal sent in a perfectly timed cross that Yamal converted by sliding in at the far post to score the opening goal at 1-0. The weight of the previous week melted away as Yamal celebrated by sliding into the corner flag, beaming with joy, before kneeling to kiss the ground.
Yamal became the youngest goalscorer for Spain in a World Cup match at 18 years and 343 days, just days younger than Lionel Messi when he scored his first World Cup goal… although, of course, comparisons should be avoided.
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“It’s special,” Yamal told DAZN afterward. “I’ve always dreamed about being at a World Cup, and scoring in my first start is a dream come true. I watched the last World Cup while in class at school.”
Following that, Oyarzabal took the spotlight. After assisting Yamal’s goal, he netted two goals in three minutes — showcasing his adeptness, positioning to anticipate a header from defender Aymeric Laporte, controlling the ball skillfully, and finishing it smoothly.
Oyarzabal almost secured a hat trick in the 35th minute when his shot struck the crossbar following a mistake by goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, but that would be his final chance. With Spain leading 3-0, both he and Yamal were substituted at halftime, having made their contributions.
“We had an idea of how the game might go,” De la Fuente reflected on Yamal’s substitution. “Today was a crucial step; we wanted him to be eager for more. He left the pitch happy, and so are we.”
While Yamal garnered much attention, Oyarzabal was the unsung hero, quietly playing a vital role. His less-visible club association with Real Sociedad compared to marquee teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona may contribute to this. Despite the lack of spotlight, Oyarzabal has tallied six goals and four assists during qualifying, and with his two goals and one assist now at the World Cup, he has made a mark with 15 goals in as many appearances for the national team.
Such statistics highlight the excellence of a player often overlooked, even after securing Spain’s decisive goal at Euro 2024. Remarkably, Oyarzabal was awarded the game’s MVP instead of Yamal.
“In my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have pictured anything like this,” Oyarzabal commented post-match. “I’ll cherish it as part of my achievements. Let’s hope more follow.”