Lamine Yamal scored his first career FIFA World Cup goal on June 21, 2026, during Spain's Group H match against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta. The 18-year-old teen sensation opened the scoring in the 10th minute, sliding in at the far post to connect on a low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal. The early strike made Yamal only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match, a feat previously accomplished by 17-year-old Pelé in 1958. He scored his first FIFA World Cup goal at 18 years and 343 days old, becoming the youngest player to score for Spain in the tournament and breaking Lionel Messi's record. Messi previously set the record by scoring his first World Cup goal at 18 years and 357 days old.

Returning to the starting lineup after recovering from an injury, the 18-year-old star Yamal slotted home a sliding finish at the back post off a cross from Mikel Oyarzabal. Oyarzabal doubled Spain's advantage by poking a clever, close-range finish past Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Owais. Just three minutes later, Oyarzabal secured a rapid first-half brace to put Spain completely in control before the break. Right after halftime, Marc Cucurella struck a powerful volley that reflected off Al-Owais and defender Hassan Altambakti to settle into the net. Spain completely dictated the pace of the match, suffocating the Saudi team with a relentless high press.

‘Generational Talent’: X users react to Lamine Yamal’s heroics for Spain

Netizens erupted in sheer joy and historic awe after 18-year-old Lamine Yamal scored his first FIFA World Cup goal for Spain against Saudi Arabia. After the 10th-minute strike, fans went wild over the fact that Yamal became only the second player aged 18 or younger alongside Brazil legend Pelé—to open the scoring in a World Cup match. Many called it the "passing of the torch" to a new generation.

Let us have a look at a few such tweets:

While this marks his World Cup debut, Yamal already entered the global record books as the youngest football player to win a major international trophy when Spain triumphed at UEFA Euro 2024, achieving that a day after his 17th birthday.