By Francis Onyach - Reporter
United States, 22 June 2026 - Spain responded in style to the criticism that followed their shock goalless draw against Cape Verde, producing one of their most convincing performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.
The result moves La Roja to the top of Group H and puts them firmly back on course for the knockout stages.
Much of the pre-match discussion centered on Spain's lack of cutting edge against Cape Verde. Coach Luis de la Fuente responded by handing 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal a start, and the decision paid immediate dividends.
The Barcelona star opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, providing exactly the spark Spain had been missing in their opening match. Returning to the starting lineup after recent fitness concerns, Yamal looked sharp, direct, and full of confidence from the first whistle.
His goal not only settled Spanish nerves but also set the tone for a dominant first-half display that overwhelmed the Saudi defense.
If Yamal lit the fuse, Mikel Oyarzabal provided the fireworks.
The Spanish forward struck twice within three minutes, scoring in the 21st and 24th minutes as Saudi Arabia struggled to cope with Spain's relentless movement and attacking combinations. His brace effectively ended the contest before the half-hour mark.
After a frustrating evening against Cape Verde, Oyarzabal reminded everyone why he remains one of Spain's most important attacking players.
Remarkably, his performance placed him among a select group of players to be directly involved in three goals within the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match.
Spain looked like a completely different side from the team that was held by Cape Verde.
Against the tournament debutants, La Roja dominated possession but lacked urgency and penetration. Against Saudi Arabia, they played with far greater verticality, moving the ball forward quicker and attacking spaces more aggressively.
Luis de la Fuente later praised his team's approach and revealed that he had encouraged a more direct style after the disappointment of the opening game. The adjustment worked perfectly.
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By halftime, Spain were already 3-0 ahead and firmly in control.
Saudi Arabia entered the match with confidence after earning a respectable 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their World Cup opener.
However, they found themselves chasing shadows for much of the afternoon.
Spain's technical superiority, movement, and pressing left the Saudis with little opportunity to establish any rhythm. Every time Saudi Arabia attempted to build from the back, Spain seemed ready to pounce.
The fourth goal arrived shortly after halftime when defender Hassan Al-Tambakti inadvertently turned the ball into his own net under pressure, putting the result beyond any doubt.
With the match effectively won, De la Fuente took the opportunity to rest key players.
Both Yamal and Oyarzabal were substituted at halftime, allowing Spain to conserve energy ahead of a potentially decisive final group match against Uruguay. Despite the changes, Spain maintained control and could easily have scored more, with a late Ferran Torres goal eventually ruled out for offside.
The performance was particularly fitting as the victory came on the Spanish coach's 65th birthday.
The victory leaves Spain on four points after two matches, recovering brilliantly from the disappointment of their opening draw with Cape Verde. Qualification is now firmly within their grasp heading into the final group-stage clash against Uruguay.
For Saudi Arabia, the defeat is a significant setback but not necessarily the end. Their final match against Cape Verde will likely determine whether they can still reach the knockout rounds.