Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 and take control: Lamine more precocious than Messi
- Spain delivered their best World Cup performance with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia: Lamine Yamal (10'), Oyarzabal brace and own goal by Tambakti.
- Lamine scored his first World Cup goal at 18 years and 343 days, beating Messi's precocity record by 14 days and entering the all-time Top 10 (8th).
- With the victory, Spain topped Group H with 4 points and virtually secured a spot in the Round of 16.
What a difference one match makes. Spain arrived under pressure following the embarrassing 0-0 with Cape Verde and left Atlanta grinning from ear to ear: 4-0 over Saudi Arabia, a first-half performance worthy of framing and top spot in Group H. De la Fuente made changes—bringing in both his wingers from the start—and the team responded with their best World Cup version yet. The "how many will they win by?" question from matchday one finally got an answer.
How the goals went in. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute, arriving at the back post to finish a low cross from Oyarzabal: his first World Cup goal. Then Mikel Oyarzabal took centre stage, bagging a brace (and nearly a hat-trick: the woodwork denied him), while also providing the assist for the opening goal. The 4-0 was sealed by an own goal from Hassan Tambakti.
Stat of the day: Lamine overtakes Messi. Here's the treasure. Lamine scored his first World Cup goal at 18 years and 343 days. Why does it matter? Because Messi scored his (Germany 2006, against Serbia and Montenegro) at 18 years and 357 days. In other words: Lamine was 14 days younger than Leo when he struck, pinching that personal record off him.
A clarification so you don't talk nonsense (and look the fool): Lamine is NOT the youngest goalscorer in World Cup history. That honour belongs to Pelé (17 years and 239 days, Sweden 1958). What Lamine has done is crash into the all-time Top 10 (8th place) and, while he's at it, leapfrog Messi. Which is no small feat for a lad who'd just returned from injury.
With the victory, La Roja sits top of Group H with 4 points, ahead of Uruguay who stumbled again (2-2 with Cape Verde the same day) and, virtually, with one foot in the Last 16. The symbolism is stunning: on Sunday, Lamine steals a record from Messi… and by Monday, Messi gets his revenge by making World Cup history his own. The heir and the master, in 24 hours. Puxa.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored Spain's goals against Saudi Arabia?
Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace (and provided the assist for the first goal) and Hassan Tambakti's own goal sealed the 4-0 victory.
Why is Lamine Yamal's goal historic?
Because he scored it at 18 years and 343 days old, 14 days younger than Messi was when he scored his first World Cup goal in 2006. With this, Lamine entered the top 10 youngest scorers in World Cup history (8th).
Is Lamine Yamal the youngest goalscorer in World Cup history?
No. That record still belongs to Pelé, who scored at 17 years and 239 days in Sweden 1958. Lamine is the eighth youngest, but he did surpass Messi's personal mark for precocity.
How did Spain finish in Group H after beating Saudi Arabia?
Spain went top of Group H with 4 points and, virtually, with one foot in the Round of 16, ahead of Uruguay who drew again (2-2 with Cape Verde).
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