Lamine Yamal Matches Jay-Jay Okocha’s World Cup Dribbling Record

According to Ireporter Online, statistics from ESPN revealed that the Barcelona winger is averaging 12 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at the ongoing World Cup, the highest rate achieved by any player with over 200 minutes of playing time in a single tournament since Okocha recorded the same feat during Nigeria’s memorable campaign at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Okocha featured in all three of Nigeria’s group-stage matches in France 1998, playing a pivotal role as the Super Eagles secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Spain before defeating Bulgaria 1-0 to reach the knockout stage. Nigeria’s journey eventually ended in the Round of 16 following a 4-1 defeat to Denmark.

The former Super Eagles captain’s outstanding display against Spain remains one of Nigeria’s greatest individual World Cup performances. During that encounter, he completed nine successful dribbles, created two scoring opportunities, and delivered three crosses as Nigeria claimed a famous victory through goals from Mutiu Adepoju, an own goal by Andoni Zubizarreta, and a stunning long-range effort from Sunday Oliseh.

The report added that FIFA honoured Okocha’s unforgettable performance by presenting him with a retrospective Player of the Match award in June 2026, nearly 28 years after the historic fixture.

Okocha also continues to hold another impressive World Cup milestone after completing 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, the highest number ever recorded by a player in a single World Cup match.

Meanwhile, Yamal has continued to impress throughout the 2026 tournament, helping Spain maintain a perfect record in every major international competition match he has started. Spain have won all eight such matches, giving the teenager a flawless 100 per cent record—the best ever by a European player in a World Cup or European Championship starting lineup.

The young forward also entered the history books alongside teammate Pau Cubarsi after becoming the first pair of teenage teammates to start a World Cup knockout match for any nation in 68 years, a feat last achieved by Brazil’s Pele and Antonio Altafini in 1958.

Having recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained while representing Barcelona in April, Yamal has returned in outstanding form, playing a key role in Spain’s comfortable victory over Austria in the Round of 32. Spain will now turn their attention to a crucial showdown against Portugal as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.