Yamal answers Saudi chants with first World Cup goal for Spain
The 18-year-old scored early against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, then posted “I’m here” after pre-match chants questioned his impact.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal for Spain against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, answering a week of questions about his fitness and role in Spain’s tournament. Al Jazeera reported that the 18-year-old forward struck after 10 minutes as Spain scored four times against Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday.
The goal gave Spain an early breakthrough after a subdued start to the World Cup. Al Jazeera reported that Spain, the European champions, had opened Group H with a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde, while Saudi Arabia had drawn 1-1 with Uruguay.
Yamal had been recovering from a hamstring injury, according to Al Jazeera. In the Cape Verde match, he entered in the 70th minute but could not help Spain score against goalkeeper Vozinha.
Saudi supporters had targeted Yamal before the match with chants of “Where is Yamaaaaal? Where is Yamal?” in Atlanta, Al Jazeera reported. The chant echoed a viral Saudi fan moment from the 2022 World Cup, when a supporter asked “Where’s Messi?” after Saudi Arabia beat eventual champion Argentina.
Yamal responded quickly on the field. Al Jazeera reported that his goal made him, alongside Pele, one of the only players aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match.
He remained on the pitch until the 64th minute, according to Al Jazeera. By the time he was substituted, he had completed 88 percent of his passes and recorded six attempts on goal.
After the match, Yamal posted a brief message on Instagram to his more than 44 million followers, according to Al Jazeera. “I’m here,” he wrote alongside photos from the game.
A young star under scrutiny
Yamal became widely known during Spain’s Euro 2024 title run, Al Jazeera reported. Spain won a record fourth European Championship, and Yamal, then 16, was one of the tournament’s prominent players.
His rise has continued with Spain and FC Barcelona, according to Al Jazeera. That attention has also brought scrutiny over his public views, including his support for Palestine and his criticism of Islamophobic chants in Spanish stadiums.
Al Jazeera described Yamal as the Muslim son of immigrant parents: a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother. After scoring against Saudi Arabia, he performed the sujoud, the Muslim act of prostration, in celebration, according to Reuters images cited by Al Jazeera.
He also used his “304” celebration, which Al Jazeera reported refers to his childhood neighborhood in the Catalan region of Spain. The gesture points to the postal code 08304 for Mataro, with Yamal forming the numbers with his hands.
Al Jazeera reported that Yamal’s activism has drawn both praise and criticism, including accusations that he was “inciting hatred.” The report said he has continued to speak publicly about his beliefs despite that criticism.
Yamal told Spanish newspaper El Pais before the Saudi Arabia match that he places high expectations on himself. “I see myself as much better than people see me,” he said, adding that he has “a long way to go” and “a lot to improve.”
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.