Lamine Yamal, aged 19 years and 6 days, becomes fourth youngest World Cup winner

Updated: July 20, 2026 — 01:22 CEST Author: Juan Jiménez, Editor-in-Chief

Superstar by Aitana plays. He truly is a superstar who knows how to look out for the group. And something more: a legend.

Lamine is now the fourth youngest player to win a World Cup. Only Pelé, the great Pelé, Ronaldo, and Bergomi are ahead of him. His tournament hasn't been flashy, but it has been collective. He has made the group greater. He has a career ahead of him to make more history.

Early Action at MetLife Stadium

A blazing sun was beating down on MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, but Lamine appeared very early in the match. Around the fourth minute, he cut inside the area. Perhaps a bit cold, his shot hit the ground too soon. Lisandro blocked it, and that might have distracted Dibu Martínez, who saved his shot. It wasn't, however, Lamine's best finish; he could have aimed for the top corner.

A Tough Battle with Tagliafico

The number 19 of the national team didn't shy away from the match, but it wasn't easy. Tagliafico is an experienced 33-year-old left-back with a very long career who, after growing up at Banfield, El Taladro, took him to Spain (Murcia), back to Argentina (Independiente), and then to the Netherlands (Ajax) and France (Lyon). He was linked to Barça several times.

Tagliafico stuck to Lamine like a limpet and, when necessary, interrupted him with a foul. In the 17th minute, Lamine did shake him off. He then looked for Olmo, but didn't find him at the near post.

Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Staying Connected

Well connected with Porro, Lamine didn't have any more decisive plays in the match, but as throughout the entire championship, he didn't disconnect from the game. He made decoy runs to receive the ball to feet and didn't want to invade others' spaces to show off just for the sake of it if it could harm the team.

Lamine also came out well after the transgressive 27-minute break. He stole the ball from Otamendi but then couldn't complete his one-two with Oyarzabal. He was in the match, lacking the finishing touch.

Set Pieces and Near Misses

Around the 60th minute, he had a free kick but it got stuck in the wall. Lamine wanted it.

Another corner taken and another precious ball that Argentina's defense cleared for a corner. In the 67th minute, he crossed softly. It seemed like the perfect ball, hung from the sky, for Ferran to become the hero. The Valencian smashed his shot against Dibu Martínez.

As Argentina dropped back, Lamine appeared more and more. And, just after the hour mark, the momentum could have arrived.

Lamine spectacularly executed a free kick. Dibu made an incredible save. He held his ground and didn't fall for the idea that Porro would take it. Lamine continued to l...