The large advertising panels around Atlanta Stadium, normally dedicated to basketball and American football icons, displayed a new star hours before the clash between Spain and Saudi Arabia last Sunday, clearly indicating who would be the highlight of the day in the region. The shirts of most of the Spanish fans present confirmed the main attraction: many went to the venue to witness Lamine Yamal on the pitch.
The fever for Yamal, nicknamed “Laminemania”, took over the United States, attracting not only Spanish fans, but also enthusiasts of several other nationalities. Before the match valid for group H, it was common to see people from different countries wearing the young star’s shirt. Although some used names like Torres, Casillas or Pedri, Yamal’s number 19 was by far the most popular.
An admirer, who traveled from Toronto, Canada, to follow the Spanish team, proudly displayed Yamal’s name and number, even though he was an avowed fan of Real Madrid, rivals of Yamal’s club Barcelona.
“He is an excellent young player, he represents the future of Spain. That’s why I chose him. I left my pride aside, because he is a great talent,” said Martin.
Lamine Yamal became a phenomenon in Spain for his impressive performances at Barcelona, where he made his professional debut at the age of 16. However, it was at Euro 2024 that he really stood out globally, his first major competition for the Spanish national team. The tournament, in which he turned 17, was a milestone that revealed to the world Lamine’s uniqueness and his crucial importance for Luis de La Fuente’s team.
Many credit him with the decisive role in winning the European title two years ago. With this, Yamal surpassed more experienced teammates or those with longer experience in the national team, such as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, in the preference to be the main idol of this new Spanish generation.
“Mainly because he is the player who creates, who is not limited to the tactical scheme, but finds solutions on his own initiative. I like creativity, being a little free on the pitch. When I started playing football, it was on the street, enjoying it, without rules. And he plays that way, but in a stadium with 70 thousand people. We all hope that he will make a difference”, explained Rafa, a Spaniard who currently resides in the United States.
Enthusiasm from fans with every move of the star
The expectation that Yamal would be the difference grew considerably after the first round of the World Cup, when Spain performed below expectations, drawing 0-0 with the debutant Cape Verde team. The young athlete had started that match on the bench and played for just 19 minutes, still recovering from a serious injury to his left thigh. For the clash against Saudi Arabia, his return to the starting lineup was widely anticipated.
Coach Luis de La Fuente made four changes compared to the previous game, and the inclusion of Lamine was one of them, monopolizing the attention. Since the lineup was announced on the big screen, his name was the most applauded by the crowd. As soon as the ball rolled, the fans’ expectations turned into pure euphoria.
Yamal touched the ball for the first time just a few seconds into the match, and a thrill spread throughout the stadium. In that move, he advanced and crossed, but the Saudi Arabian defense managed to clear it. The next minute, he went to the flag to take a corner and gestured with his hands for the crowd to demonstrate. The fans promptly complied with the request, responding with shouts of “Lamine, Lamine”, behavior worthy of a true pop star.
The number 19 was heavily used at the start of the game, playing on the right wing, his usual position. Before the first five minutes, he had already participated in several plays, including a shot placed after dribbling the marking. The ball didn’t even come close to the goal, but it managed to draw gasps from the majority of the 68,000 fans present at the Atlanta Stadium, demonstrating the young man’s power of attraction.
Lamine unveils the path to Spanish victory
After a debut in which Spain dominated possession and created opportunities, but failed to score, Luis de La Fuente’s objective was to make the attack more unpredictable and unlock the score. It was exactly Lamine Yamal who opened the doors for a team that had arrived in the United States as favorites for the title.
10 minutes into the game, Oyarzábal received the ball on the left. On the other side of the field, Yamal advanced slowly, watching the play unfold. He accelerated at the right time and appeared free at the second post. Defender Moteb didn’t follow him and was caught by surprise when Lamine arrived to finish the cross, almost on the baseline, and the ball found the net.
Yamal ran and was warmly celebrated by his teammates: he had finally broken Spain’s uncomfortable streak of 298 goalless minutes in the World Cup. On a personal level, it was an unforgettable achievement for the star: his first goal in World Cups, scored at the age of 18, guaranteeing him a place in the Top 10 of the youngest athletes to score goals in the competition.
The striker also equaled a historic feat that only Pelé had achieved: he became the second player aged 18 or under to open the scoring in a World Cup game. The athlete’s emotion was evident as he raised his hands to the sky and knelt on the lawn, marking the moment.
Yamal’s opening goal, which was also Spain’s first of the campaign, brought a palpable lightness to the reigning European champions. The moves by Luis de La Fuente’s team began to fall into place, and it became clear that the scenario from the first round would not be repeated. When other opportunities arose, Oyarzábal knew how to take advantage of them, scoring two goals in an interval of just three minutes, at the 21st and 24th.
Even with the score at 3-0, Spain did not slow down; the team continued to attack, with Lamine being constantly looked for, both in attempts at boards and in long throws, although the latter were not as effective. The number 19 also made some mistakes, whether in passes or dribbling attempts. He clearly lacked rhythm in the game, as his last match as a starter was on April 22, still in the 33rd round of LaLiga.
So much so that, given the already assured victory, Yamal did not even return for the second half – the day before, coach Luis de La Fuente had signaled that the striker could play a maximum of 60 minutes. The teammates then managed to lead the game to a significant victory, with Al-Tambakti scoring an own goal.
The 45 minutes that Yamal was on the field were enough for him to begin a trajectory that promises memorable chapters in this and future World Cups. And, mainly, to quench the thirst for talent of its countless fans, both Spanish and from other parts of the globe.