Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal starting the match and scoring his first World Cup goal. The 18-year-old’s return to the XI immediately changed the tone after Spain’s earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde.
Yamal had played only 19 minutes in that previous match as Spain managed his recovery from an April hamstring injury. Against Saudi Arabia, he was fit enough to begin and became a central figure in Spain’s brighter, faster attacking display before being taken off at half-time as a precaution.
His goal came at the back post from a low delivery, and the moment added to a growing World Cup profile: the source reports he became the seventh player to score at the tournament before turning 19. Mikel Oyarzabal also had a major early impact, scoring twice and adding an assist in the opening phase of the match.
The wider question for Spain is how to balance Yamal’s influence with his workload. With another group game against Uruguay still to come, Luis de la Fuente’s handling of the teenager may be as important as the attacking spark he provides.
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