Lamine Yamal marked his first World Cup goal by netting against Saudi Arabia at just 18 years and 343 days old — placing him seventh on the all-time list of the youngest scorers in the tournament's history.

The Spanish teenager made his first start of this World Cup and wasted no time making his presence felt. After roughly 10 minutes, he tapped in a driven cross from Mikel Oyarzabal at the back post, drawing first blood for Spain in what had been billed as a comfortable fixture — though one Spain entered with caution following a shock draw against Cape Verde in the opening round.

Saudi Arabia, a team with a recent history of causing upsets — most memorably their group-stage victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup — set up with a back five in an attempt to contain La Roja's attacking threat. It was not enough to hold Yamal.

Where Yamal ranks among the youngest scorers

Yamal's goal in Atlanta slots him into seventh place on the all-time youngest World Cup scorers list — just ahead of Lionel Messi, whose iconic number 10 shirt Yamal now wears at Barcelona. He also edges out the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe in this particular historical ranking.

The record, however, remains far out of reach. Pelé sits at the summit, having scored his first World Cup goal at just 17 years and 239 days against Wales at the 1958 edition in Sweden — a tournament Brazil went on to win, making Pelé the youngest World Cup winner in history as well. That mark may never be surpassed.

Yamal's Spain team-mate Gavi sits higher on the list in third place, having scored his first World Cup goal aged 18 years and 110 days against Costa Rica in Qatar in 2022. Others who netted younger than Yamal include Manuel Rosas, Michael Owen, Nicolae Kovacs, and Dmitri Sychev.

The goal against the Green Falcons was Yamal's first at a World Cup — but in Atlanta, with Spain very much in the hunt, it is unlikely to be his last.