The development of Lamine Yamal

With the return of Lamine Yamal as a starter, Spain made short work of Saudi Arabia (4-0) during the 2nd day of the 2026 World Cup.

He was expected, he came, he did not disappoint. Absent from the eleven during Spain’s first match against Cape Verde, because he was playing again for the first time after two months of absence, Lamine Yamal failed to resolve the situation after coming into play (0-0).

Against Saudi Arabia, for his first start in the World Cup, the 18-year-old prodigy only needed 10 minutes to get the ball rolling. By taking a good cross from Mikel Oyarzabal, the Barcelona winger immediately put his team on the right track.

The hardest part was done for La Roja, who had clearly lacked inspiration against Cape Verde, and who this time came up against a much more complacent defense. Mikel Oyarzabal took the opportunity to improve his statistics, scoring two goals from the surface, on deliveries from Aymeric Laporte (21st) and Dani Olmo (24th).

Lamine Yamal was able to breathe

While the score was acquired before the first cool-down break, Luis de la Fuente took the opportunity to blow his two spearheads, then Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal gave way to Ferran Torres and Yeremy Pino upon returning from the locker room.

This gave a very weak second half, with just one other goal, a CSC from Tambakti, caused by Marc Cucurella from a corner (49th). With this success, Spain reassures itself and takes first place in its group while awaiting its last group match against Uruguay.