Spain cruise past Saudi Arabia 4-0 to revive World Cup group hopes

Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 on Sunday at Atlanta Stadium in a Group H match at the 2026 World Cup, moving to four points from two games. The win followed Spain’s opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde and eased early pressure after a flat start to the tournament. Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal and Mikel Oyarzabal struck twice as Spain effectively decided the game before half-time. A second-half own goal completed the scoring.

Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute, sliding in at the back post after Oyarzabal delivered a cross from the left. Spain doubled their advantage from a corner when the ball stayed alive in the area and Aymeric Laporte nodded it down for Oyarzabal to turn in from close range. Three minutes later, Spain added a third with a slick passing move that ended with Oyarzabal finishing again to give Luis de la Fuente’s side a commanding lead at the break.

Spain replaced Yamal and Oyarzabal after the interval and continued to create chances, though the tempo dropped as the match wore on. The fourth goal came shortly after half-time when the Saudi goalkeeper saved Marc Cucurella’s volley and the rebound ricocheted off defender Hassan Al-Tambakti for an own goal. Spain then managed the closing stages with an eye on the final group match.

Group H standings and the remaining fixture

The result lifted Spain to four points at the top of Group H after two matches, while Saudi Arabia remained on one. The group’s other teams, Cape Verde and Uruguay, were scheduled to play later on Sunday in Miami, a game that could shape the final-round scenarios.

Spain’s attacking edge was a sharp contrast to the opener against Cape Verde. With quicker ball circulation and more accurate delivery into the box, they created repeated openings and took control early through Yamal’s breakthrough and Oyarzabal’s double.

Quotes underline Spain’s response after a slow start

Oyarzabal said the squad focused on its own standards despite criticism after the opening draw. “It’s not about proving myself. I’ve always said I feel loved by my teammates, the coach, the staff day to day. That’s what counts for me,” he told the media. “People will talk outside. We know how the football world works, but we have to stay relaxed.”

Yamal described scoring at a World Cup as a “dream,” saying he watched the previous tournament from school and was happy to have his family in the stands. Spain now head into their final group fixture with qualification still dependent on the remaining Group H results.