A sea of red erupted in celebration inside Atlanta stadium as the 18-year-old they deemed to be Spain’s next generational talent scored his first-ever goal in a World Cup match.
Lamine Yamal found the back of the net just 10 minutes into Spain’s June 21 match against Saudi Arabia after rushing deep into the six-yard box and bouncing a fast cross through traffic off his foot and past goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais.
It was the first goal Spain earned in 299 minutes of World Cup play, a total that includes the 0–0 draw against Cape Verde on June 15 and the team’s performance in the 2022 World Cup. But it was not the only goal scored that day.
Forward Mikel Oyarzabal got the ball past Al Owais twice in just three minutes. The first came 21 minutes into the game, deflecting a header off the top of his boot deep in the six-yard box, and the second at 24 minutes, also from close to the goal.
Up 3–0 at half-time, Spain comfortably pulled Yamal from the field, replacing their wunderkind with Yéremy Pino.
The Rojas kept up the attack in the second half, taking a total of 22 shots throughout the entire game, eight of which were on goal. The Green Falcons, meanwhile, only got three shots off, with just one on goal.
A goal did get credited to a Saudi player, but it was an “own goal.” A shot from Spanish defender Marc Cucurella bounced off Al Owais and hit Saudi defender Hassan Al-Tambakti, and that contact deflected the ball into the back of the net.
That 4–0 lead came just four minutes into the second half and would remain unchanged for the rest of the game.
Spain’s victory places it at the top of its group. But due to the draw against Cape Verde, the win does not come with an automatic advancement to the knockout round. The final decision will come after the third and final game of group play on June 26. Spain will play Uruguay in Guadalajara, and Cape Verde will play Saudi Arabia in Houston.
But before that, Cape Verde will take the pitch at 6 p.m. against Uruguay in Miami.
If either team can get the win by a single goal tonight and then hold their respective opponents in the final group stage match to a draw, that team will earn second place in the group over Saudi Arabia and advance to the knockout round.