Welcome to the World Cup, Lamine Yamal. Welcome to the World Cup, Spain.
Teenage superstar Yamal needed just 10 minutes in his first start on soccer's biggest stage to kick stuttering Spain into gear with a goal that launched their statement 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The 18-year-old forward slid in at the far post to touch home a low cross for the opening goal in Atlanta, becoming the eighth youngest scorer in World Cup history.
More importantly, he settled Spanish nerves after the team had been held to a surprise 0-0 draw by long-odds outsiders Cape Verde in their opening game.
In a tournament which has already seen established superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane get off to flying starts, the teen's strike saw him join the party.
