Lamine Yamal scored his first FIFA World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia on Sunday – and his girlfriend, Ines Garcia, responded with a declaration that immediately went viral.
The Barcelona winger netted in the 10th minute as Spain hammered Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Group H, ending La Roja’s painful goalless run from their opening draw.
Ines Garcia Reacts To Lamine Yamal’s World Cup Goal
Garcia, a 21-year-old Seville-based influencer and model, was inside Atlanta Stadium when Yamal broke the deadlock. She first reposted a fan’s Instagram Story that read, “Ines was right… Lamine is in top form.” She then added her own verdict.
She said: “The best player in the world is at 2,000,000%, and he’s also in good hands.”
The pair’s relationship only went public in May 2026, when Yamal brought Garcia to an official Barcelona team dinner. Their clips have been trending across TikTok and X ever since Spain’s campaign kicked off.
The Historic Numbers Behind Yamal’s Goal
Yamal was 18 years and 343 days old when he scored – making him the eighth youngest goal-scorer in World Cup history. The strike put him 14 days younger than his idol Lionel Messi, who netted his first World Cup goal at 18 years and 357 days.
- Pelé (Brazil): 17 years, 239 days
- Manuel Rosas (Mexico): 18 years, 93 days
- Gavi (Spain): 18 years, 110 days
- Michael Owen (England): 18 years, 190 days
- Lamine Yamal (Spain): 18 years, 343 days
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 18 years, 357 days
This was also Yamal’s first start in two months after a hamstring injury – context that makes the 10th-minute goal even more significant. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente substituted him at half-time as a managed return, a decision Yamal confirmed was pre-planned.
Lamine Yamal’s Post-Match Reaction
Yamal did not underplay the moment after the final whistle. He dedicated the goal to his mother, Garcia, his family, his friends, and the people of Mataró – the Catalan city where he grew up.
Yamal said: “It has been very special, I have always dreamed of being in a World Cup and to be able to score in a first match as a starter is a dream.
“The other World Cup I watched in class and to be able to score here with my mother and my family watching is a dream.”
He also addressed Spain’s slow start to the tournament directly. “The first game was something that wasn’t us, it was different, but already we have arrived and we are going for more,“ Yamal said.
The 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde had clearly stung the squad – the 4-0 scoreline against Saudi Arabia was a pointed response. Bettors tracking Spain’s World Cup odds after the Saudi Arabia result will have noticed the line movement that followed.
