Overview
- Yamal opened Spain's Nations League match with Croatia on Tuesday inside two minutes, a strike that became the fastest goal in the competition's history.
- He later supplied a short‑corner routine that led to Marc Pubill's 31st‑minute header, giving Spain a 2–1 half‑time lead.
- The quick strike follows another second‑minute opener in Spain's 3–2 win over England days earlier and adds to a streak of direct goal contributions this season.
- In broadcast interviews this week Yamal publicly backed new Barcelona signing Hamza Abdelkarim as a prolific, adaptable forward and praised Mohamed Salah while urging patience as Abdelkarim settles.
- Yamal revealed he privately told Lionel Messi 'thank you for everything you gave football' after the World Cup final and said Barcelona's improved cohesion under Hansi Flick is central to their Champions League ambitions.