After watching the 2022 World Cup in class, Lamine Yamal is relishing a dream debut goal

When Spain played in the 2022 World Cup, Lamine Yamal was still at school and slowly establishing himself in Barcelona. In 2024, he was the star of the show when Spain won the Euros. After the injury, Yamal was used as a substitute in Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde.

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There was an immediate energy change in Spain as Yamal made his first World Cup start and the Barca star committed score a goal to set up a 4-0 win. After the win, Yamal said it was a dream come true for him.

“I’ve always dreamed of being at the World Cup and to be able to score in my first game as a starter is a dream,” he said. “I watched the last World Cup from the classroom, so to be able to score here with my mum and family in the stands is a dream come true.

The goal also made Yamal the second player aged 18 or under to open the scoring in a World Cup match after the great Pele.

Yamal, who came off the bench only briefly in Spain’s opener against Cape Verde, was handed his first start of the tournament against Saudi Arabia and made an immediate impact.

The teenage winger was already a constant threat, driving through the Saudi backline with pace and confidence before meeting Mikel Oyarzabal’s serve with a level finish to open his World Cup account.

The atmosphere at Atlanta Stadium was electrifying from the moment Yamal came out for the warm-up, with the largely pro-Spain crowd roaring his every move. Their excitement reached another level after his goal as the youngster ran off in celebration, dropped to his knees, said a prayer and kissed the pitch in a moment that summed up the significance of the occasion.

Yamal said that Spain were not their usual opponents against Cape Verde, but now they have found the right rhythm.

“The first game wasn’t really us, it was different, but now we’ve arrived and we’re going for more,” Yamal said.

Spain will face Uruguay in their final group game on Friday, June 26.

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Published on:

22 Jun 2026 07:35 IST