How Lamine Yamal emulated Pele and drew comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in first World Cup start for Spain

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Lamine Yamal wasted no time in entering the FIFA World Cup record books on Sunday as the teenager, carrying the dreams of his nation, blasted Spain into an early lead against Saudi Arabia at the Atlanta Stadium.

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Yamal, who was a second-half substitute during Spain's frustrating 0-0 draw with Cabo Verde in their opening group match at this summer's tournament, has admitted he is not yet fully fit as he recovers from a recent hamstring injury.

But having failed to score against a side 60 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente felt he had no option but to start his precocious young talent on the wing in Atlanta - and his decision was vindicated inside 10 minutes.

The reigning European champions were in need of an early goal to ease any nerves against Saudi Arabia, and it duly arrived when Mikel Oyarzabal's cross from the left was swept home at the far post by Yamal.

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In doing so, the Barcelona forward made history.

According to Opta, Yamal is only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a FIFA World Cup match - the other was a 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against Wales in 1958.

Furthermore, at 18 years and 343 days old, Yamal has become the eighth-youngest player to score at the World Cup.

It is quite some company to share for Yamal, who became the youngest player and youngest goalscorer for Spain after finding the net on his debut in a 7-1 European Championship qualifying win against Georgia in September 2023.

Back then, he was aged just 16 years and 57 days old as he took the record as his youngest senior international from his Barcelona team-mate Gavi, who was 17 years and 62 days old when he debuted for La Roja in 2021.

Best 45 minutes so far this tournament

More records are only likely to tumble for Yamal, who was taken off as a precaution at half-time by De La Fuente with Spain already leading 3-0 at the break courtesy of two more goals from Oyarzabal.

Following Yamal's landmark first World Cup goal, pundits were effusive in their praise of Spain and their poster boy getting off the mark in the tournament.

In the BBC studio, Wayne Rooney delighted in Yamal's performance.

Lamine Yamal celebrates his opener for Spain against Saudi Arabia

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"He has football IQ, this is very difficult to teach," the former England and Manchester United forward said. "He makes his team-mates believe that they can win the World Cup. Just like he did with the Euros.

"When you think of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the reason they are at this World Cup is because of their application, and hopefully Yamal can do that.

"He's already Spain's main man, and he's taken on that pressure at such a young age. You just hope he can do that for the next 15-20 years in the same way Cristiano and Lionel have."

Lionel Messi	Games	Goals	Assists
2004/05 (Age 17)	9	1	0
2005/06 (Age 18)	25	8	3
2006/07 (Age 19)	36	17	2
2007/08 (Age 20)	40	16	13
Lamine Yamal	Games	Goals	Assists
2022/23 (Age 15)	1	0	0
2023/24 (Age 16)	50	7	7
2024/25 (Age 17)	55	18	21
2025/26 (Age 18)	45	24	17

Messi and Yamal's first four seasons at Barcelona in all competitions (source: BBC)

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank added: "This is maybe the best and most complete 45 minutes we've seen from anyone so far in this tournament.

"They have been completely in control, and it's everything we expect from Spain; moving the ball quickly, penetration and counter-pressing, creating chances and scoring three fantastic goals."

Former Spain and Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta revelled in the response to the poor display against Cabo Verde.

"Since the first second, we could see the Spanish team," he said. "With the ball there was intensity, playing two-touches, playing out wide and Lamine Yamal creating chances. I really enjoyed the first half."

Spain were in full control, and an eighth own goal at this World Cup duly followed at the start of the second period as goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais' save to deny Marc Cucurella bounced off Hassan Al Tambakti and into the back of the net to complete the rout.

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