Lamine Yamal became only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match during Spain's opener [1].

Yamal's achievement places him alongside football legend Pelé in a rare historical category. The goal occurred during Spain's first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America against Cape Verde on June 15, 2026 [2].

The performance follows a period of uncertainty regarding Yamal's health. The 18-year-old [1] suffered a hamstring injury on April 22, 2026 [1], which raised concerns about his ability to lead the Spanish attack during the tournament. In early June, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente monitored the player's recovery closely.

"He is making good progress and could be ready for the opener on June 15," de la Fuente said [3].

Despite the optimism, the coaching staff remained cautious in the days leading up to the match. De la Fuente said, "We’ll evaluate his fitness in the next few days, but the signs are positive" [4].

The successful return to the pitch allows Spain to integrate one of their most dynamic young talents into the squad's tactical plan. Yamal follows in Pelé’s footsteps as the second teenager to open the scoring at a World Cup [5].

While Spain celebrates this milestone, other teams are managing their own health crises. England is currently reviewing the injury status of Bukayo Saka, as the team seeks to finalize its planning for the group stages [6]. The update on Saka comes as teams navigate the physical demands of the tournament's early rounds.

“"Yamal follows in Pelé’s footsteps as the second teenager to open the scoring at a World Cup."”

Yamal's ability to recover from a significant hamstring injury in time for the opener provides Spain with a critical offensive weapon and psychological momentum. By matching a record held by Pelé, Yamal establishes himself as a global focal point of the tournament, while England's uncertainty over Bukayo Saka highlights the precarious nature of squad depth when key players are injured.