The Spanish star has scored just one goal in this World Cup, where he’s been sharing celebrations with his little brother
* Was named the Player of the Match for his contributions despite not scoring in the quarterfinal win over Belgium last night
* Obviously I want to score, but I don’t go onto the pitch thinking about that. I do it thinking about helping the team
Maravi Express
Despite not scoring a goal in Spain’s-quarterfinal-win-over-Belgium, Lamine Yamal was named the Player of the Match for his contributions and capped off the win by sharing a touching moment with his little brother during the post-match celebrations in Los Angeles.
Advertisement
Yamal, who has not scored since Spain’s group-stage win over Saudi Arabia on June 21, said after the match last night that nobody will care about his lack of goals if Spain win the World Cup.
At a tournament where stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have been prolific, 18-year-old Yamal has just one goal to date, in a routine 4-0 group drubbing of Saudi Arabia.
He failed to find the net once again as Spain booked their place in the World Cup semifinals for the second time.
“Obviously I want to score, but I don’t go onto the pitch thinking about that. I do it thinking about helping the team,” said Yamal.
“If we win the World Cup, no one will remember whether I scored goals … The important thing is winning,” said the Barcelona star, after the victory in Los Angeles set up a semifinal clash with France.
“I know I can contribute even if I don’t score. I know my movements draw in many opponents, so I do everything I can to help the team.”
Despite the lack of goals, Yamal has performed consistently for La Roja and has also broken records along the way.
Last night, he made his sixth FIFA World Cup appearance, the outright most by a player aged 18 or younger in the competition.
Breakout star
Two years ago, then aged 16, Yamal was the breakout star of the Spanish team that won the European Championships in Germany.
He only scored once during that victorious campaign – a stunning strike in a 2-1 semifinal win against France: “There’s an idea that I should be scoring more, like at the Euros, but we won the Euros with me scoring just one goal.
“And I have one goal here too, so I’m relaxed about it,” he said, with a smile — but Spain will be hoping Yamal, who turns 19 the day before the semifinal, can bag further goals if his side is to see off the free-scoring tournament favourites France.
“There are two possibilities – either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We’ll see what happens — we aren’t afraid at all.”
Kenye Yamal is seen on the screen at the quarterfinal in Los Angeles which Lamine acknowledges
Amid Spain’s post-match celebrations, Yamal and his half-brother Keyne were caught in a sweet moment when the younger sibling was shown on the big screen.
The three-year-old was screaming and stuck his tongue out when the camera panned on him. Keyne then blew a kiss at his brother, making the teen Spanish star laugh and wave at him.
Keyne, who often accompanies Yamal to award shows and other public events, has been a fan favourite for the crowds at the World Cup.
He has been picked up by the cameras on multiple occasions, drawing a chuckle from his older brother and cheers from the crowd around him.—Reporting by Al Jazeera & AFP; editing by Maravi Express
Knockout stages results
Round of 32
* South Africa 0-1 Canada
* Jordan 1-3 Argentina
* Brazil 2-1 Japan
* Germany 1(3)-1(4) Paraguay
* Netherlands 1(2)-1(3) Morocco
* Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway
* France 3-0 Sweden
* Mexico 2-0 Ecuador
* England 1-2 DR Congo
* Belgium 3-2 Senegal
* USA 2-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina
* Spain 3-0 Austria
* Portugal 2-1 Croatia
* Switzerland 2-0 Algeria
* Australia 1(2)-1(4) Egypt
* Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
* Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Round of 16
* Canada 0-3 Morocco
* Paraguay 0-1 France
* Brazil 1-2 Norway
* Mexico 2-3 England
* Portugal 0-1 Spain
* USA 1-4 Belgium
* Argentina 3-2 Egypt
* Switzerland 0(4)-0(3) Colombia
Quarterfinals
* Morocco 0-2 France
Today, July 10
* Belgium v Spain (21h00)
* Norway v England (23h00)
* Argentina v Switzerland (03h00)
Semifinals
Tuesday, July 14
France v Spain
Wednesday, July 15
* Norway/England v Argentina/Switzerland
Advertisement