Lamine Yamal’s First World Cup Goal Put Him Alongside Pelé. Here’s What Happened.

Lamine Yamal is 18 years old and already pulling off stuff that hasn’t been done in World Cup history for decades. In Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Atlanta, he scored his first World Cup goal in the 10th minute — a low finish off a cross from Mikel Oyarzabal — and instantly became just the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match.

The other guy? Pelé. He did it at 17 against Wales in 1958.

Yamal, at 18 years and 343 days old, is now the eighth youngest goalscorer in World Cup history and the second youngest Spaniard to score at the tournament. Gavi still holds that record for Spain at 18 years and 110 days, from 2022 against Costa Rica. But Yamal’s night was about more than just the milestone. It was his first start in a World Cup, and he looked like he’d been doing this for years.

Oyarzabal put on a show of his own

Oyarzabal didn’t just set up Yamal’s goal. He scored twice in a three-minute span — the 21st and 24th minutes — from close range. That made him the only player on record since 1966 with two goals and an assist inside the first 25 minutes of a World Cup match. He nearly got a hat trick too, but smacked the crossbar after Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais botched a back pass.

Spain went up 3-0 before halftime and basically cruised from there. Yamal and Oyarzabal both got subbed off at the break. The fourth goal came early in the second half when Marc Cucurella’s shot from a corner was saved, but defender Hassan Altambakti knocked the rebound into his own net.

Group H is taking shape

Spain now sits on four points after two Group H matches. That’s not bad considering they opened the tournament with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. Saudi Arabia, after this loss, has just one point and a lot of work to do.

Spain’s final group game is against Uruguay next Sunday. A draw would be enough to lock in a spot in the Round of 32. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has to regroup and face Cape Verde — a matchup that suddenly feels like a must-win if they want any chance of advancing.

Yamal didn’t speak after the game, but fans online were already comparing his trajectory to the all-time greats. It’s early. But nights like Sunday don’t happen often.