Spain’s 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal captured attention ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Austria by arriving at Los Angeles Stadium wearing a Batman chain and confidently pointing to it as he greeted supporters.
Having recovered from a hamstring injury, the Barcelona player walked out with the Spanish squad before the match, acknowledging fans prior to the team’s pre-match warm-up. Video shared by the Spanish Football team’s official account on
The occasion marked a milestone for both Yamal and Spain, as this was his first FIFA World Cup knockout appearance and Spain’s first international match at Los Angeles Stadium. Yamal’s inclusion in the starting XI is a significant boost for head coach Luis de la Fuente after his recent injury. He started alongside Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi, with both players creating World Cup history before kickoff.
According to Opta statistics, Yamal and Cubarsi became the first teenagers to start a FIFA World Cup knockout match together for the same country since Brazil’s Pele and Jose Altafini did so against Wales in the 1958 quarter-finals, ending a 68-year interval.
Barcelona’s influence was notable throughout Spain’s lineup, with Pedri and Dani Olmo also starting, bringing the club’s representation in the starting eleven to four players. Rodri partnered Pedri and Alex Baena in midfield, while Mikel Oyarzabal led the attack alongside Yamal. Unai Simon guarded the goal behind defenders Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Cubarsi and Marc Cucurella. Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia, Gavi and Ferran Torres began on the bench.
Spain entered the knockout stage unbeaten after finishing top of Group H. Their group campaign included a goalless draw with Cape Verde, a 4–0 victory over Saudi Arabia and a 1–0 win against Uruguay.
Austria, led by manager Ralf Rangnick, finished second in Group J. Their group results comprised a 2–0 defeat to Argentina, a 3–3 draw with Algeria and a 3–1 win over Jordan. Austria’s starting lineup featured Alexander Schlager in goal, with Kevin Danso, Stefan Posch, David Alaba, Nicolas Seiwald, Marcel Sabitzer, Romano Schmid, Konrad Laimer, Paul Wanner and Michael Gregoritsch all included.
The winner of this Round of 32 match will advance to the Round of 16, where they will face either Portugal or Croatia in Dallas on July 6.
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