Lamine Yamal just did what most footballers spend entire careers dreaming about. The 18-year-old FC Barcelona winger scored his first FIFA World Cup goal on June 21, 2026, during Spain’s Group H match against Saudi Arabia, making him the youngest player to ever score for Spain in a World Cup.
From hamstring injury to World Cup history
Yamal sustained a hamstring injury on April 22, 2026, an injury significant enough to cast doubt on whether he’d even make Spain’s squad for the tournament. Spain’s manager named him to the 26-man 2026 World Cup squad on May 25, 2026, giving him less than a month of full fitness heading into the biggest competition of his young life.
His World Cup debut came on June 15 against Cape Verde, where Yamal entered as a substitute in the 71st minute. The match ended in a goalless draw. Six days later, he started against Saudi Arabia. And he scored.
The youngest scorer Spain has ever produced at a World Cup
