Spain’s march to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals produced another remarkable milestone for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. La Roja’s 2-0 win over France in the semi-finals ensured all 12 of Yamal went through FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship ended in victory, giving a perfect record of 100 percent victories when named in Spain’s starting eleven in the two biggest international tournaments. No European player has ever started so many World Cup and European Championship matches, maintaining an unblemished record, which underlines the extraordinary impact the Barcelona forward has already made before even reaching his 20th birthday.
Twelve starts, twelve wins: a record that no European player has matched
International football rarely allows room for perfection, especially in major tournaments where each knockout match can define a generation.Yet Yamal achieved precisely that.Spain’s win over France in Dallas marked his 12th career UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup start combined. All 12 have ended in Spanish victories, giving the teenager an unblemished 12-0 record every time he has been selected from the opening whistle.It is the best 100 per cent winning record ever recorded by a European player in both competitions when matches start.Statistics reflect more than individual brilliance. Through those 12 starts, Spain have consistently produced their best football with Yamal at right-back, where his movement, ball retention and creativity have become central to Luis de la Fuente’s attacking structure.
Euro 2024 announced Yamal to the world
The remarkable streak began during UEFA Euro 2024. Fresh from his breakthrough season with Barcelona, Yamal established himself as one of the protagonists of the tournament as Spain won the European Championship with a perfect seven wins from seven games.He started six games during that campaign, contributing one goal and four assists.His defining moment came in the semi-final against France, where his spectacular long-range strike sealed the contest before Spain completed the comeback. Days later, he helped set up the opening goal for Nico Williams in Spain’s 2-1 win over England in the final.These performances transformed him from one of Europe’s brightest prospects into one of world football’s biggest stars, culminating in a stunning second place in the Ballon d’Or voting at just 18 years of age.
The World Cup campaign showed a different side to his game
Yamal arrived at the 2026 World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in April, a problem that disrupted his preparations for the tournament.While his individual numbers have been more modest than those of Golden Boot contenders Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, or English midfielder Jude Bellingham, his influence has been unmistakable.He started all six of Spain’s World Cup games, taking his overall tally to 12 consecutive victories in major tournaments.His only goal of the tournament came against Saudi Arabia, when he opened the scoring in Spain’s 4-0 win. The strike made him the youngest player to score the opening goal in a World Cup match since Pelé in 1958, while also making him Spain’s second World Cup goalscorer behind Gavi.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Opponents have increasingly committed several defenders to contain Barcelona’s wing, limiting their direct contributions of the goal, but creating valuable space for teammates.This influence was again evident in the semi-final against France. Yamal’s clever run into the penalty area drew Lucas Digne into the foul which allowed Mikel Oyarzabal to convert the opening penalty before Pedro Porro sealed a 2-0 win in the second half.
More than goals and assists
In his 12 starts in the World Cup and the European Championship, Yamal contributed two goals and four assists.Its wider impact, however, extends far beyond those numbers.At Euro 2024, he was Spain’s main creative outlet, while at the World Cup he increasingly became the player around whom opponents reshaped their entire defensive structure. His ability to attract double teams opened up central spaces for players like Dani Olmo, Pedro Porro and Mikel Oyarzabal to exploit.Spain’s latest win also extended the national team’s unbeaten run to 37 matches, equaling Italy’s all-time European record, while making La Roja the first European nation to win eight knockout games at the World Cup and European Championship.As Spain prepares for the World Cup finals, Yamal will not only be chasing the biggest trophy of his career. He will also try to preserve one of the most remarkable records in international football – a perfect 12 wins from 12 starts on the biggest stages the sport has to offer.