Lamine Yamal added another impressive element to his rapidly growing legacy even before he started FIFA World Cup The 2026 final, becoming the first player in football history to take part in both the UEFA European Championship Final and the FIFA World Cup final as a teenager.The 19-year-old was named in Spain’s first team against Argentina’s defenders in the tournament held at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, an achievement unlike any other young footballer.Already one of the brightest stars in world football, Yamal featured in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 finals. Entering the World Cup arena, he became the first teenager to appear in the world’s biggest competition.The record win marks the remarkable rise of the Barcelona winger,​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ that he is only 19 years old, he has become a key player in Spain.
The youth have won Spain’s victory in the final
Yamal has been one of the best performers of the World Cup in Spain.He played a key role in La Roja’s 2-0 semi-final win in France, winning a penalty after dispossessing Lucas Digne which captain Mikel Oyarzabal converted to open the scoring. Pedro Porro added a second after the break following a superb move that involved Dani Olmo, while Yamal also had a goal ruled out for offside.Spain’s restrained defense frustrated France throughout, reducing it Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni before posting his sixth clean sheet in seven games.The Europeans combined defensive and attacking prowess in the match and are now just one win away from claiming their second FIFA World Cup trophy, having already won in South Africa in 2010.
Spain follows the path of victory
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has kept faith with the players who beat France in the semifinals.Unai Simon started at the back behind Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi and Marc Cucurella. Captain Rodri deployed midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, while Yamal joined captain Mikel Oyarzabal and Bryan Zaragoza in attack.Standing between Spain and the second world title was Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina, who reached the final after a 2-1 win over England.Argentina made three changes from this semifinal, recalling Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Gonzalez in the starting lineup alongside Messi and Julian Alvarez.While the main interest before the final was Messi’s pursuit of back-to-back World Cup titles and other history, Yamal quietly wrote his name in the record books.
- Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Rodri (captain), Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Bryan Zaragoza.
