Yamal nets 'dream' 1st World Cup goal as Spain answer critics

ATLANTA -- Lamine Yamal said he had realized a childhood dream after scoring in his first World Cup start against Saudi Arabia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.

The 18-year-old was brought into the Spain XI by coach Luis de la Fuente and needed just 10 minutes to score the opener in Atlanta.

Yamal tapped in Mikel Oyarzabal's cross at the back post before the Real Sociedad striker scored twice himself as Spain bounced back from their goalless draw with Cape Verde to thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0.

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"It's special," Yamal, whose goal made him the eighth-youngest scorer in men's World Cup history, told DAZN.

"I've always dreamed about being at a World Cup and being able to score in my first start is a dream. I watched the last World Cup in class at school. Being here is great. I'm very proud for my mother and my family."

Yamal was restricted to just the last 19 minutes against Cape Verde as the teenager continues to build up his fitness following a hamstring injury.

He was substituted at halftime against Saudi Arabia with the score already 3-0, but afterward De la Fuente allayed fears about the Barcelona forward's physical condition by insisting he could have stayed on.

"He would have played for longer, but considering the result and the match was under control we considered his contribution was enough," De la Fuente told reporters.

"The next game we could have him for a full match. He's back and he's fit."

Added Yamal to TVE: "I have a very good relationship [with De la Fuente]; there is complete trust. He asks how I'm doing and how I'm feeling, and I told him I'm ready to play -- I'm here for Spain and will always give 100 percent."

Spain were heavily criticized following the draw with Cape Verde, in particular for their inability to break down the team ranked 67th in the world.

But they had no trouble finding a way through Saudi Arabia, who drew 1-1 with Uruguay in their first game.

De la Fuente said afterward that the negative reaction to the result with Cape Verde "was unfair" and admitted it had "hurt" his team.

"When I said they were fired up I was talking about a natural reaction," De la Fuente, who led Spain to the Euro 2024 title, said.

"Their pride was hurt. The remarks they hear makes them react and that's good. When your work is being questioned, if you have the courage, you always react and try to respond to the criticism.

"It's human. It doesn't mean that the criticism bothers us. It just motivates people to give their best version of themselves.

"I think it's crazy to question this team. We've been unbeaten for 33 games in a row. You can have better days, but doubting this squad of very young players I think it's unfair."

Oyarzabal was the subject of particular criticism for not touching the ball at all in the first 30 minutes of Spain's draw with Cape Verde. But he insisted he had nothing to prove on Sunday.

"Prove myself? No, because I've said that I've always felt loved and valued by the people who matter -- my teammates, the coach, and everyone we work with day-to-day," he told TVE. "That's what I need to focus on, and that's what I'm taking away from this.

"People on the outside will always talk -- we know how the football world works -- but we remain calm on the inside."

Spain are now in pole position to clinch a place in the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Uruguay in Zapopan, Mexico, on Thursday. Uruguay and Cape Verde meet in their second games of the tournament later Sunday.

Saudi Arabia will go into their final group fixture against Cape Verde still with a chance to make the round of 32.

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