Lamine Yamal struck Spain’s first World Cup goal in a 4‑0 rout of Saudi Arabia, the 18‑year‑old’s debut coming in his hometown of Rocafonda. The Barcelona forward slid into the far post on a Mikel Oyarzabal cross, sending locals at Bar Familia LY 304 into a wave of cheers this night.

After a hamstring setback in April, Yamal returned as a substitute in Spain’s 0‑0 draw with Cape Verde and earned a start against Saudi Arabia, a move that underlines his role in a side that won Euro 2024 and now tops the World Cup favorites. He is 18 years 343 days old of the tournament.

Back in Rocafonda, Abdul, Yamal’s uncle, wore a Spain shirt while watching the match from the bar’s terrace, his Moroccan‑Mexican tea paused for the moment. The town’s 4,000 foreign residents—almost a fifth Moroccan—cheered, turning the local venue into a microcosm of Spain’s multicultural squad for the team.

Yamal’s goal and post‑match dedication—displaying the 08304 zip code and a sujood—cement his place as Spain’s second‑youngest scorer and reinforce the team’s narrative of resilience. With de la Fuente’s side already heading toward a title, the teenager’s performance signals a decisive edge in the knockout stages of the tournament.