Spain dismantles Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal star in Atlanta
An aggressive, revitalized Spain overwhelmed Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta on Sunday, with 18-year-old Lamine Yamal scoring after ten minutes of his first World Cup start and Mikel Oyarzabal adding two goals and an assist.
Spain emphatically banished the doubts of a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, unleashing a first-half blitz that all but secured passage to the round of 32. Coach Luis de la Fuente made four changes and was rewarded with immediate verticality and intensity.
- Yamal threatens early with a dribble and dangerous cross in the opening minute.
- Lamine Yamal opens the scoring, sliding in at the far post from an Oyarzabal cross.
- Mikel Oyarzabal scores to make it 2-0.
- Oyarzabal scores his second goal, completing his brace.
- Halftime: Spain 3-0 up; both Yamal and Oyarzabal substituted as part of a pre-arranged plan.
Yamal's dream debut
Lamine Yamal, making his first World Cup start after recovering from a hamstring injury, slid in at the far post in the 10th minute. The Barcelona forward, who watched the 2022 World Cup in class, celebrated by kneeling in prayer and kissing the turf, then formed the number 304 with his hands for his home neighbourhood of Rocafonda in Mataró. His mother wept in the stands.
I have always dreamed of being at a World Cup. To be able to score in my first start is a dream. The last World Cup I watched in class.
Oyarzabal's record-setting response
Mikel Oyarzabal answered his critics (no touches in the first half-hour against Cape Verde) with two goals and an assist inside 24 minutes - a first in World Cup history. He volleyed home in the 21st minute and struck again three minutes later, completing an extraordinary personal turnaround.
I have always felt valued. My team-mates, the coach, the people I work with every day - that is what I take away. In football, people will always talk.
A changed team, a calmer coach
De la Fuente ditched his tie and swapped four outfield starters, injecting pace and pressure. Rodri and Pedri gave Spain's circulation its old fluency, while Spain kept a second consecutive clean sheet, matching only Mexico at the tournament with no goals conceded after two matches.
No one likes people doubting their work. The reaction of the players was logical: a punch on the table, a statement, and continuity for a project that has been in place for a while.
The road ahead
Four points leave Spain virtually qualified for the next round, though mathematical certainty still depends on the final group match against Uruguay. With Mexico, the United States and Germany already through, Spain's late arrival in the tournament now feels like a launch pad rather than a stumble.
This team can do even better. The first half was wide and vertical. That gives us a lot of security.
