Lamine Yamal steals the show as Spain roar back to life with 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia
Spain came to Atlanta with a point to prove.
A frustrating goalless draw against Cape Verde raised nagging questions about whether one of the tournament favorites has left his shooting boots behind. Ninety minutes later, those doubts were largely erased as Luis de la Fuente’s side swept Saudi Arabia 4-0 to record their first World Cup win.
The score told only part of the story. This was Spain at its most fluid, aggressive and fun. Passing combinations flowed, chances came in waves and Saudi Arabia spent long periods chasing shadows.
SPAIN vs. SAUDI ARABIA FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
And at the center of it all was Lamine Yamal.
Making his first start of the tournament after being used as a substitute against Cape Verde, the teenager looked determined to make up for lost time. He opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, stretched the Saudi defense every time he touched the ball and provided the spark that turned Spain’s attack from dull to brilliant.
By the time Mikel Oyarzabal added two goals in three devastating first-half minutes and an own goal after the break completed the scoring, Spain had turned what was expected to be a tricky Group H task into one of the most one-sided games of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia frustrated Uruguay in their opener and came in believing they could make life difficult for Spain as well. Instead, they became the latest side to discover just how dangerous La Roja can be when their young stars find their rhythm.
LAMINE YAMAL STEALS THE SHOW
The biggest compliment that can be paid to Yamal is that he is increasingly making the extraordinary look ordinary.
The Barcelona winger started Spain’s game on the bench as he continued to manage his fitness issues, but showed no signs of rust when he was handed a place in the starting XI. In fact, he looked like a man eager to remind everyone why he has become one of the most exciting players in world football.
His goal came after just 10 minutes. Oyarzabal burst down the left and played a teasing ball across the six-yard box. Yamal arrived perfectly at the far post, slid in and headed the ball past the keeper to score his first World Cup goal.
The conclusion was simple. There was no movement.
The strike also put Yamal in rare company. At 18, he became only the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal in a World Cup match. The only other teenager to achieve the feat was 17-year-old Pel, who did it for Brazil against Wales in 1958.
During the first half, Yamal was a constant source of problems. The Saudi defenders struggled to decide whether to show him down the line or let him drift inside. Neither option worked particularly well. Every touch seemed to create panic, every rush opened up space for teammates, and every attack seemed to flow through him.
The teenager almost added another when he cut inside and fired home from distance while his clever clutch repeatedly caught Saudi Arabia’s backline out of shape. Atlanta responded to each engagement with growing excitement.
Spain has no shortage of stars. Still, for most of the afternoon, it felt like the match was played to the rhythm of Yamal’s right foot.
OYARZABAL CLOSES HIS CRITICISM
If Yamal lit the fuse, Oyarzabal provided the explosion.
The Spain forward doubled the lead midway through the first half after Saudi Arabia failed to clear their lines and reacted quickest in the penalty area to finish clinically. Before Saudi Arabia could regroup, he struck again. This time the finish was even better, a powerful effort leaving Mohammed Al Owais with no chance.
At 3-0 after only 24 minutes, the match was practically over.
Spain’s midfield took full control from there. Rodri dictated the pace, Pedri moved elegantly between the lines and Dani Olmo constantly found open pockets. Saudi Arabia spent most of the afternoon chasing the ball rather than playing with it.
The second half proceeded in a similar vein. Oyarzabal scored a boost for Spain. (Photo: Reuters)
With one eye on the upcoming clash with Uruguay, De la Fuente began rotating his squad. Yamal and Oyarzabal were both withdrawn at half-time, allowing Ferran Torres and Yeremy Pino to impress.
These changes did little to disrupt Spain’s momentum.
Hassan Altambakti’s unfortunate own goal early in the second half extended the advantage to four after another dangerous delivery into the Saudi penalty area. Spain continued to press for more, creating chance after chance as Saudi Arabia struggled to offer any meaningful response.
Pedro Porro and Ferran Torres went close to adding further gloss to the scoreline, while Torres’ late effort was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review. Although the game was long decided, Spain continued to attack with purpose.
The result takes Spain to four points from their opening two games and dramatically changes the mood around their campaign. The questions that followed the draw against Cape Verde were replaced by optimism and conviction.
A tougher test awaits against Uruguay in their final group game. Still, Spain will head into this competition knowing they have rediscovered their identity at exactly the right time.
And if Yamal continues his similar performances, the rest of the tournament may soon have a new star attraction.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
21 Jun 2026 23:54 IST