Lamine Yamal injury update: Why Spain star was substituted at half-time despite scoring against Saudi Arabia | Football news
The Spanish winger scored his first World Cup goal and inspired a dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, but concerns emerged when he was withdrawn at half-time before explaining after the decision had been planned from the start.Lamine Yamal has explained why he was substituted at half-time during Spain’s emphatic 4-0 World Cup win in Saudi Arabia after his first outing sparked injury concerns among supporters.The 18-year-old Barcelona star was one of Spain’s best players during the opening 45 minutes, scoring his first World Cup goal and helping Luis de la Fuente’s side bounce back from a disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde in their Group H opener.Because Yamal had recently returned after dealing with a hamstring problem and had only just returned to the starting line-up, many fans feared the winger had suffered another setback when he was withdrawn at half-time.However, Yamal quickly reassured supporters that there was no injury problem and revealed that the substitution had been arranged before kick-off.
Spain responds after the disappointment of Cape Verde
Spain entered the match under pressure after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their opening round. Despite arriving as reigning European champions and one of the favorites for the World Cup, La Roja have struggled to find a breakthrough, raising questions about their attacking sharpness and making the clash with Saudi Arabia all the more important.De la Fuente responded by bringing Yamal into the starting XI, and the teenager immediately provided the spark that Spain had been missing.The breakthrough came early when Yamal showed determination to slip into the back post and convert a Mikel Oyarzabal cross, opening the scoring and registering the first World Cup goal of his career.
Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais fails to stop Spain’s Lamine Yamal’s opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Oyarzabal, who had a tough outing against Cape Verde, responded impressively by scoring twice, while Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Al Tambakti added an own goal after deflecting Marc Cucurella’s volley into his own net as Spain cruised to a 4-0 victory.The result moved La Roja to four points from two games and left them in a strong position to reach the knockout stages ahead of their final group game against Uruguay.
Yamal realizes a World Cup dream
Beyond the result, the match carried a huge personal meaning for Yamal because it was his first World Cup start and he scored with a goal.“It was very special, I always dreamed of being in a World Cup and to be able to score in a first game as a starter is a dream,” said Yamal.“The other World Cup I watched in class and to be able to score here with my mom and my family watching is a dream.”
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
His goal also secured a place in the World Cup record books. At 18 years and 343 days, Yamal became the seventh-youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history, putting him just ahead of Lionel Messi on the all-time list. Pelé remains the youngest scorer after netting at 17 years and 239 days.
Because he was kicked out
Despite being arguably Spain’s leading performer in the first half, Yamal was replaced at the break with Oyarzabal.The decision surprised many supporters, but Yamal confirmed that it was purely tactical.“It was the plan, to go out for the half and be able to rest, but mainly to help the team,” he explained.With Spain already three goals ahead at half-time, De la Fuente opted to manage the workload of two key attacking players and ensure they were fresh for the challenges ahead, particularly the upcoming clash with Uruguay.Yamal also revealed that Spain were motivated by the frustration of their opening draw.“The first game was something that wasn’t us, it was different, but we’ve already reached it and we’re going for more.“To draw a match that we know we need to win, it made us think a lot, to get to this match as we wanted.”Spain now head into their final group game full of confidence, with Yamal fit, refreshed and central to their hopes of making a deep run at the 2026 World Cup.
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