Lamine Yamal scores early as Spain beat Czechia 3-1 in Oviedo
Lamine Yamal scored inside six minutes as Spain defeated Czechia 3-1 at the Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo on 3 October 2026 in a Nations League fixture. The teenager’s early strike, his third consecutive match with a goal inside six minutes, helped Spain complete their World Cup homecoming in Oviedo.
Lamine Yamal says he feels like Superman or Spider-Man sometimes, and Spain’s fans are starting to wonder if he just might be. Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, said: "Lamine Yamal is on course to become a legend." The Selección led 2-0 at half-time after Rodrigo Hernandez had added the second and Lamine Yamal was withdrawn at the interval, while the match marked Spain’s first visit to the Carlos Tartiere in eleven years.
Yamal threatened immediately, chasing the goalkeeper fifteen seconds in and forcing an early chance; he nearly scored after 57 seconds when he ran on to a Dani Olmo pass but the shot went past the post. Playing a quick one-two with Dani Olmo, he then took possession on the top right corner of the area and curled his goal into the far corner in the sixth minute. The sequence extended his run of rapid strikes and, as the article recorded, "320 seconds he had been out there, taking him to 494 seconds to score three."
Spain controlled the opening period, taking thirteen shots to Czechia’s one and enjoying 70% possession by half-time. The second goal arrived on 32 minutes when Rodrigo Hernandez collected near the centre circle, advanced through midfield, found Pedri and after a defender’s touch Pedri’s return set up Hernandez to shoot high into the net. Alex Baena drew admiring reactions for a notable touch before he and Yamal were both withdrawn at the break.
Czechia improved after the interval and reduced the deficit on 69 minutes when Jiri Slama ran onto a move up the right; Adam Hlozek played the ball into Slama, who steered it low beyond David Raya. Spain then survived a late scare when, in the 79th minute, referee Vassilis Fotias ruled out what would have been a Czech equaliser — Fotias harshly ruled out a Ryan Naderi goal, apparently for a foul on Robin Le Normand as the free-kick that led to it was swung in — a decision that provoked visible frustration from Santi Denia on the touchline.
Tensions increased when Ladislav Krejci was sent off soon after the disallowed goal. Victor Munoz was subsequently sent clear and dashed into the area where Antonin Kinsky blocked his attempt, and with two minutes remaining Mikel Merino finished to make the score safe for Spain.
The victory leaves Spain a single point from the Nations League quarter finals already. They were applauded off as winners.
