Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal have been the celebs of the present as Spain lastly introduced their arrival on the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia.
The stress was immense on La Roja to supply not solely a win, however a efficiency after a dismal goalless draw in opposition to Cape Verde of their Group H opener on Monday.
It was one of many greatest shocks within the event’s historical past – however Spain hit again at any critics with a basic displaying of fast passing, attacking soccer and many objectives.
Yamal was again within the beginning XI after an electrical cameo final week and instantly confirmed why he is among the greatest gamers on the planet. He poked residence Oyarzabal’s low, fizzing cross on a good angle for his first World Cup purpose on his first World Cup begin.
Oyarzabal’s quickfire double quickly put Spain out of sight – all earlier than the primary hydration break within the twenty fifth minute. His first was a scrappy poke residence on the again publish, earlier than a extra intentional end two minutes later.
He ought to have accomplished his hat-trick after gathering a poor again go from Mohammed Al Owais, however his first-time hit pinged off the highest of the crossbar.
Oyarzabal and Yamal have been changed at half-time, which a sensible transfer from Luis de la Fuente – who celebrated his sixty fifth birthday on Sunday – with extra making an attempt checks to come back.
Whereas Spain have been much less intense after the break, they remained dominant, but it surely was an unlucky personal purpose that added the fourth. Marc Cucurella’s preliminary effort from a flicked-on nook was initially well-saved by Al Owais, however the rebound hit Hassan Al Tambakti and into the again of the web.
Spain’s Marc Cucurella reacts after Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Altambakti scores an personal purpose, making it 4-0
La Roja thought that they had a fifth in added time as Ferran Torres turned residence Fabian Ruiz’s cross. Nevertheless, after a prolonged VAR evaluation, the purpose was dominated out for offside.
It sends Spain prime of Group H forward of Uruguay’s sport in opposition to Cape Verde at 11pm on Sunday, whereas Saudi Arabia go backside.
Yamal conjures up sharper Spain to assertion World Cup win
Sky Sports activities’ Peter Smith:
Lamine Yamal’s electrical begin to this sport lifted Spain’s stage and put them on track for a commanding efficiency. He offered the spark that was lacking in opposition to Cape Verde.
His purpose after simply 10 minutes was not one in all his typical, stunning artworks. However a back-post poacher end suggests it is a participant primed so as to add severe purpose numbers to his already great creativity and craft. It was his first World Cup purpose but it surely is not going to be the final.
Spain’s Rodri and Lamine Yamal have a good time in opposition to Saudi Arabia
Yamal has risen to that problem at membership stage and he now relishes being the primary man for his nation. Dribbles, crosses, pictures – he flew out of the blocks to ship all three right here. He confirmed his team-mates the best way in Atlanta.
When Yamal hit the web, Spain had already accomplished 39 passes. No staff at this event had carried out that to date. They then grew to become the primary nation since Germany in 2014 to attain three objectives inside 25 minutes.
There may be high quality operating proper by this Spain squad however on Sunday we noticed how a celebrity can encourage these round him to achieve the degrees they should hit to point out off their greatest.
The important thing moments from Atlanta…
1: Lamine Yamal is concerned inside seconds as Abdulelah Al Amri nods away his right-wing cross.
11: GOAL! Yamal scores his first World Cup purpose with a poked end on a good angle.
21: GOAL! Spain rating a scrappy second as Oyarzabal pokes residence.
23: GOAL! Two minutes later, Oyarzabal scores once more as he turns the ball previous the goalkeeper from shut vary.
36: Oyarzabal pings an effort off the highest of the crossbar in pursuit of his hat-trick after a Al Owais error.
49: GOAL! Spain lengthen their result in 4 by Hassan Al Tambakti’s personal purpose.
90+2: GOAL! Torres turns residence Spain’s fifth, however there’s a VAR evaluation for offside.
90+5: NO GOAL! After a prolonged VAR evaluation, Torres’ purpose is dominated out.
In photos: Spain smash Saudi
Undesirable personal purpose run continues after Al-Tambakti strike
Sky Sports activities’ Ron Walker:
At a charge of just about an personal purpose each 4 video games, World Cup 2026 has been probably the most unlucky for defenders of any finals within the competitors’s historical past.
Hassan Al-Tambakti’s undesirable addition was the event’s eighth personal purpose – already greater than any earlier version bar World Cup 2018, with the group stage barely midway by.
