Lamine Yamal scores 10 minutes into his first World Cup start and gives Spain liftoff

ATLANTA (AP) — Welcome to the World Cup, Lamine Yamal. Welcome to the World Cup, Spain.

Teenage superstar Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first start on football’s biggest stage and Spain kickstarted its campaign with the 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.

The 18-year-old forward slid in at the far post to touch home a low cross for the opening goal and became the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history. 

More importantly, he settled Spanish nerves after the European champion was held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in its opening game.

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

In a tournament that has already seen Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane get off to flying starts, Yamal’s strike saw him join the party.

“I’ve always dreamed of being at a World Cup, and being able to score in my first match as a starter is a dream,” he said. 

“I watched the last World Cup from a classroom so being able to score here with my mum and my family in the stands is a dream come true.”

The Barcelona winger is already considered one the world’s top players and helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024 despite being just 16 years old when the tournament started. 

He is tipped to take over from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the sport’s biggest star, but came into the World Cup with questions over his fitness after he missed the end of the season with a hamstring injury.

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