Last Thursday, 17-year-old Barcelona phenom Ansu Fati was handed his first Spain appearance as a second-half substitute during a 1-1 draw with Germany. On Sunday, Fati was given his second cap and first-ever start as Spain welcomed Ukraine to the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium in Madrid.
If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, here’s the La Masia graduate’s opening 45 minutes.
It started as early as the second minute with Fati receiving possession near the midfield touchline. The teenager’s first touch was a savage nutmeg on Oleksandr Tymchyk and then he drove towards Ukraine’s area.
Next up was center back Serhiy Kryvtsov, who briefly saw the ball and stuck out his leg, but Fati had already performed a chop move and was on his way around him when Kryvtsov’s challenge finally arrived.
It was a clear penalty and Sergio Ramos duly converted from the spot.
— @AnsuFatiStuff (@AFSC_11) September 6, 2020
Fati then went about finding his range.
His first shot was fired harmlessly wide from distance…
¡Ansu Fatiiiii! Ceeeeerca la bala. Tremendo todo lo que genera este chamaco...
@SeFutbol 1-0 UcraniaTUDN USA
En vivo: https://t.co/pOElsg2a2A#SomosEspaña | #Ucrania| #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/wjJE87Y3n1— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) September 6, 2020
The second whistled past the post after Tymchyk was abused again…
Close.. #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/5FLIuIaMXD
— @AnsuFatiStuff (@AFSC_11) September 6, 2020
The third was an overhead kick that required a block to keep it out…
¡Tremeeendooooo! ¡Esta chilena de Ansu Fati es lo mejor que verás hoy! La Joya
@SeFutbol 1-0 UcraniaTUDN USA
En vivo: https://t.co/pOElsg2a2A#SomosEspaña | #Ucrania| #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/0vSOPC1G2B— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) September 6, 2020
But Fati's fourth shot could not be stopped — a right-footed curler from distance that crashed in off the far post.
Youngest ever scorer in the Champions League
Youngest ever scorer for Barcelona in La Liga
Youngest ever scorer for SpainAnsu Fati is a special talent pic.twitter.com/6IRdlEP831— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 6, 2020
At 17 years and 311 days, Fati is now the youngest goalscorer in the history of Spain’s national team.
Spain would win the match 4-0 with Ramos scoring a brace and new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres adding one late.
