Lamine Yamal makes history as World Cup winner at 19
After Spain's World Cup victory, Lamine Yamal earned praise from Joe Hart and Luis de la Fuente, becoming the youngest player to win both the Euros and the World Cup.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
In a historic moment at the New Jersey stadium, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal celebrated a World Cup final victory with Spain. The 1-0 win over Argentina, secured by a 106th-minute goal from Ferran Torres, cemented Yamal's status as the youngest player ever to win both the European Championship and the World Cup.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart was quick to laud the teenager's composure under pressure throughout the final. The pundit noted:
"Not only did Lamine Yamal not react. He stood up to it. He was not rattled and he did not back down. He had the entire team trying to smash him. He just stayed real cool. It was a real standout performance from him. Lamine Yamal is 19 years old. What a beautiful day for him. He's 19 and has completed football." Joe Hart
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente also highlighted the youngster's contributions, emphasizing his tactical maturity and willingness to sacrifice for the team's success, which he described as essential for his squad.
Despite entering the tournament with a hamstring concern, Yamal started seven of Spain's eight games, winning every one of them. He now holds a perfect 13-game winning streak in major tournament starts—the longest in European history. With another trophy added to his collection, Yamal returns to club football as the undisputed jewel of Spain's world championship side.