12 games, 12 wins: Lamine Yamal's number that has Spain dreaming of back-to-back glory
A starter at the Euros and the World Cup, Yamal has never lost in 12 games. Spain face Argentina in the final chasing a second straight title.
He's not the top scorer. He doesn't lead the assists chart. But Lamine Yamal arrives at the World Cup final carrying a number worth more than any individual statistic: in 12 games as a starter at the Euros and the World Cup, Spain have won all 12.
Twelve from twelve. Unbeaten where it matters most.
At Euro 2024, there were six wins as a starter — against Croatia, Italy, Georgia, Germany, France and England in the final. Spain lifted the trophy. At the World Cup, he began on the bench for the opener, a goalless draw with Cape Verde, still recovering from an injury at Barcelona. After that, he took over the side and never looked back: six straight wins, including a 2–0 victory over France in the semi-final — a match in which he himself won the penalty that broke the deadlock, according to ge.
Counting friendlies and the Nations League, the 19-year-old has 27 caps for the Spanish national team: 21 wins and six draws. Not a single defeat.
On Sunday, in New Jersey, he faces Argentina in the biggest game of his career. Golmetria's model gives Spain a 49% chance of lifting the title — and Argentina just 33%. But Messi and company have toppled favourites before.
The question hanging in the air: will Argentina be the first to break the spell?