Lamine Yamal had a simple, two-word answer for the Saudi fans who mocked him before kick-off, and he delivered it on the pitch before putting it in writing on Instagram.
Saudi supporters had been chanting “Where is Yamal?” outside the Atlanta Stadium ahead of Spain’s Group H clash on Sunday. They got their answer within 10 minutes.
The 18-year-old Barcelona winger, making his first start of the tournament, opened the scoring and helped La Roja to a dominant 4-0 victory.
After the final whistle, Yamal posted a carousel of match images to Instagram, including footage of the Saudi fans’ pre-match taunts. His caption was brief and to the point: “I’m here.” He followed it with: “Let’s go Spain!! Thank you all for the support, always with God.”
Mikel Oyarzabal’s first-half brace and Yamal’s opener put Spain firmly in control at the Atlanta Stadium.
Yamal broke the deadlock on 10 minutes, converting from close range after Oyarzabal picked him out at the far post from a Spain counter-attack. The ball squeezed past Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais through a tight gap.
Oyarzabal then got on the scoresheet twice in quick succession, first poking home after being fed by Aymeric Laporte, then drilling in a second from close range off a cross from the right. Spain headed into the hydration break 3-0 up.
Saudi Arabia tried to regain possession in the second half but conceded a fourth just four minutes after the restart when a strong Cucurella shot, deflected by Al-Owais, came off defender Hassan Al-Tambakti and crossed the line.
Ferran Torres came close to adding a fifth in stoppage time, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
