World Cup 2026: Spain has never lost a match started by Lamine Yamal!

21.06.26 FT World Cup

Spain

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Saudi Arabia

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Lamine Yamal isn’t just a promising teenager anymore—he’s become the heartbeat of Spain’s national squad, and the numbers back it up in stunning fashion.

At just 18 years old, the Barcelona winger has quietly transformed into an indispensable asset for La Roja, with a track record that borders on the supernatural. Whenever Yamal has been named in the starting lineup for a major international tournament—be it the European Championship or the World Cup—Spain has emerged victorious. That’s seven wins out of seven, a perfect record that feels less like coincidence and more like destiny.

But his influence stretches far beyond knockout-stage fixtures. Look at the bigger picture, and you’ll find that Spain haven’t tasted defeat in any match—friendly or competitive—with Yamal on the pitch from the opening whistle. That unbeaten run now stands at a staggering 22 games, a stretch that includes 16 wins and 6 draws. For a player who only recently became eligible to vote, those are the kind of stats that veteran captains would envy.

With such a talismanic presence on the flank, it’s no surprise that Spain’s hopes for World Cup glory this year are increasingly pinned on his young shoulders. He carries that weight lightly, too—evidenced by his goal in a recent friendly against Saudi Arabia, even if that particular night ended in an unexpected loss for his side. One blemish, however, does little to dim the glow of a player who seems to make everyone around him better—and almost guarantees his team leaves the pitch unbeaten.

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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