Yamal scores 10 minutes into first World Cup, gives Spain liftoff

ATLANTA — Welcome to the World Cup, Lamine Yamal. Welcome to the World Cup, Spain. Teenage superstar Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first start on soccer's biggest stage and Spain kickstarted its tournament with the 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday. The 18-year-old forward slid in at the far post to touch home a low cross for the opening goal and became the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history. More importantly, he settled Spanish nerves after the European champion was held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in its opening game. "The first game wasn't really us, it was different, but now we've arrived and we're going for more," Yamal said. In a tournament that has already seen Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane get off to flying starts, Yamal's strike saw him join the party. "I've always dreamed of being at a World Cup, and being able to score in my first match as a starter is a dream," he said. "I watched the last World Cup from a classroom so being able to score here with my mum and my family in the stands is a dream come true." The Barcelona winger is already considered one the world's top players and helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024 despite being just 16 years old when the tournament started. He is tipped to take over from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the sport's biggest star but came into the World Cup with questions over his fitness after he missed the end of the season with a hamstring injury. After being used only as a second-half substitute against Cape Verde, he was thrown in from the start on Sunday and wasted no time in making his presence felt, repeatedly slicing through the Saudi defense before turning home Mikel Oyarzabal's cross. A full house at Atlanta Stadium that was mainly filled with Spain fans erupted in celebration just at the sight of Yamal emerging for the pre-game warm up. And the cheers were even louder as he raced away to celebrate his goal, dropping to his knees, praying and kissing the turf. It was just the impact Spain coach Luis de la Fuente wanted from his star player, having been inundated with questions about when Yamal would be ready to start. Those questions felt even more anxious after Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites, was shut out by Cape Verde. After all, Spain has failed to advance beyond the round of 16 since lifting the World Cup in 2010, winning just three games during that run. But Yamal's opener sparked a flurry of first-half goals. Oyarzabal, who was criticized for not touching the ball at all in the first 30 minutes against Cape Verde, not only provided the assist for Yamal, but scored two more with close range strikes in the 21st and 24th. So dominant was Spain's lead that De la Fuente had seen enough and took both his scorers off at halftime. Inside four minutes of the second half, the lead was extended when Marc Cucurella's shot rebounded off Hassan Altambakti for an own goal. Iran 0, Belgium 0 INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves while Iran and Belgium played to a 0-0 draw at the World Cup on Sunday, with Team Melli unable to break through after the Red Devils went down to 10 men in the second half. Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card in the 66th minute when he miskicked a ball backward and then fouled Mehdi Taremi to prevent the Iran star from getting a clean breakaway scoring chance. Iran couldn't capitalize, and Belgium actually generated better scoring chances down the stretch — but both teams left with their second straight draw in group play. Neither team will feel good about the result at SoFi Stadium. During a tumultuous World Cup trip affected by travel restrictions and visa denials from the U.S., Iran will regret missing a golden opportunity to beat a European powerhouse sitting 10th in FIFA's world rankings while playing before a loud, supportive crowd. Iran returned to the Los Angeles area for its second straight match in front of a crowd packed with fans from the diaspora both supporting Team Melli and decrying the Iranian government with boos of the anthem and hundreds of Lion and Sun flags displayed. Iran's World Cup cycle has been chaotic ever since the U.S. began a war on Feb. 28. The Iranians moved their training base from Arizona to Mexico, and the team is operating under travel restrictions requiring them to leave Los Angeles only hours after both matches, infuriating coach Amir Ghalenoei. Meanwhile, star-studded Belgium has yet to score in two matches at the World Cup, getting on the scoreboard only through an own goal in its opening draw with Egypt. Belgium is unbeaten in its last 15 competitive matches, but it has not scored on 53 consecutive shots at the World Cup dating back to its one goal scored in its three mostly dismal games in Qatar four years ago. Belgium dominated possession in the first 60 minutes, but Iran had a handful of strong chances stopped by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who matched Beiranvand's excellence. Team Melli had the best scoring chances early, including a beautiful set piece for a goal by Taremi — who was ruled offside by video review. Maxim De Cuyper was denied twice in the second half by Beiranvand, including a golden opportunity in the 86th minute. With so many preparation obstacles, Ghalenoei leaned on experience against Belgium, sending out the oldest starting 11 at a World Cup match since 1966, according to Opta.