Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 22nd June 2026, 4:59 PM
Spain forward Lamine Yamal scored his first goal in a FIFA World Cup match, netting inside the opening 10 minutes against Saudi Arabia to give his side an early lead.
Yamal, who was selected in the starting XI against Saudi Arabia, began the match in an attacking role and made an immediate impact. He scored in the 10th minute with a well-taken strike, putting Spain ahead 1–0.
Prior to this match, he had featured as a substitute against Cape Verde, but against Saudi Arabia he was given his first start of the tournament. He made full use of the opportunity by scoring early in the game.
With this goal, Yamal became part of a notable record in World Cup history. The record for scoring the opening goal in a World Cup match at the age of 18 or younger had previously belonged solely to Brazil legend Pele .
Pele set the benchmark during the 1958 World Cup, when he scored against Wales at the age of 17. Nearly 68 years later, Yamal has now matched that achievement, placing his name alongside one of football’s most historic figures.
| Player | National team | Age at goal | Tournament | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pele | Brazil | 17 | 1958 World Cup | Wales | 1958 |
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | 18 or under | Current World Cup | Saudi Arabia | Current edition |
The goal marks Yamal’s first in World Cup competition and comes in his first start of the tournament. His performance has added to his profile on the international stage, as he demonstrated effectiveness in an advanced attacking role.
By scoring early in a World Cup match, Yamal has matched a record that stood for almost seven decades, highlighting a rare statistical parallel between two players from different eras of international football.
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