Yamal becomes Spain's youngest player and scorer in 'dream ...

Issued on: 08/09/2023 - 20:39Modified: 08/09/2023 - 20:37

2 min

Defeat by leaders Scotland in their second game left Spain fourth in Group A but they climbed up to second with a big win in Tbilisi, inspired by an Alvaro Morata hat-trick.

However despite the Atletico Madrid forward's treble, the game will be remembered for Yamal's superb first appearance for his country at 16 years and 57 days old.

The Barcelona teenager came on from the bench with Nico Williams after 43 minutes to replace Marco Asensio and Dani Olmo, who had both suffered knocks, with Spain 4-0 up and cruising.

Yamal finished lethally in the 74th minute to send Spain 7-1 up after Williams found him with a cut-back.

"I'm happy obviously, for my debut and my goal," Yamal told Spanish broadcasters Teledeporte.

"It's a dream, I'm living in a dream right now.

"I'm very happy and I have to thank my team-mates and the coach for the confidence he has given me, and to everyone who has helped me on this path."

The build up to the match was tarnished by Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales being suspended by FIFA and charged with sexual assault by Spanish prosecutors, after he forcibly kissed women's midfielder Jenni Hermoso.

Spain won the women's World Cup in August but the country's federation was shellshocked by Rubiales' actions at the medal ceremony in Sydney and the subsequent fall-out.

Men's coach Luis de La Fuente led the team to Nations League glory in June to ease the pressure on his shoulders, which was ramped up again after he applauded Rubiales when he refused to resign.

The federation reiterated they backed the coach, who replaced Luis Enrique in December after Spain's failed World Cup campaign in Qatar.

De la Fuente pledged a similar style but a more direct approach in attack and that was seen in Morata's opener -- the forward headed home Asensio's cross after 22 minutes.

Spain moved further ahead when Fabian Ruiz's cross was put through his own net by Solomon Kvirkvelia.

Olmo drilled the third past Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 38th minute and Morata added the fourth after a slick exchange with Ruiz.

Spain were forced to change both their wingers before half-time and Yamal gratefully grabbed the chance to make history.

Watford's Giorgi Chakvetadze drilled past Unai Simon to pull one back for Georgia first, with the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper letting the shot squirm away from him in the rain.

Morata restored Spain's ample advantage with the aid of a deflection, before Williams produced a fine sixth with an individual dribble and finish.

Yamal completed the rout with his own fine strike to make a double dose of history.

Spain face Cyprus in Granada on Tuesday in another Euro 2024 qualifier.

"We have to go out to win, with the same attitude, knowing that we represent Spain," Morata told La 1.

Morata said he was grateful to his team-mates for their assists.

"They could have had shots on goal themselves and they've been very generous," added the striker.

"Fabian (Ruiz), for example, I'll take him out to dinner, or give him a present."

© 2023 AFP