Lamine Yamal knocks Harry Kane out on Wembley night

Two minutes after the initial whistle, Lamine Yamal, number 19 of Spain, opened the scoring against England at London's Wembley Stadium, leaving Harry Kane without a response and marking the turning point of the UEFA Nations League clash, Group 3.

The start of the clash

The match, played on September 26, 2026, was framed as a battle between English defensive solidity and Spanish creativity. From the first moments, the pressure of the three lions was felt, but Yamal's speed allowed him to get past his markers and put the ball in the net.

Reactions and comparisons

The English media, who had previewed the match with criticism of the young striker, were forced to acknowledge his performance. Comments that referred to the opponents' inability to stop Lionel Messi in Champions League finals were revisited, noting that Yamal now belongs in that same category.

The columnist who described Yamal as “capable of performing under any weather condition” highlighted his elegance and passing precision, attributes that, according to him, could make him a Ballon d'Or candidate, leaving Kane “dull” that night.

Media context and future

The atmosphere in the stadium was influenced by the English coverage, which had “rattling a few cages” before Saturday's match. The image of Yamal celebrating his goal, distributed by AFP via Getty Images, carries the caption: "/ NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE".

While the English press continues to defend the supremacy of the Premier League, Yamal's performance reinforces the idea that the best talents can shine outside England. Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish league, could take note of this spectacle.

With the victory, Spain moves into a favorable position in Group 3 of the Nations League, while England will have to rethink its defensive strategy ahead of upcoming international commitments.