Spain send statement with Saudi success

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

Spain goalscorers: Yamal (10), Oyarzabal (21, 24), Altambakti (49 OG)

Mikel Oyarzabal found the net twice, as well as teenage sensation Lamine Yamal made an immediate impact on his comeback to the Spain starting XI against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, having been held to a shock 0-0 draw by competition debutants Cabo Verde in their opening fixture, La Roja were immediately onto the front foot, pinning their opponents back in their showpiece third.

Building on that, luis de la Fuente’s side were three strikes to the good before the opening hydration break, with Oyarzabal crossing for Yamal to slide home the opener, before capitalising on Saudi Arabia’s inability to clear their lines against the waves of intensity with two close-range finishes of his own in the space of three minutes.

Meanwhile, oyarzabal twice came close to a opening-period treble, clipping the top of the bar with an audacious attempt following a poor clearance, before driving across the face of strike, as well as narrowly wide.

There was little let-up after the interval, despite the withdrawal of both goalscorers at interval, and the unfortunate Hassan Altambakti could only deflect into his own net after Mohammed Alowais’ stop from Marc Cucurella’s volley. Spain now know a point from their showpiece fixture against Uruguay will be enough to secure progress to the Phase of 32, while Saudi Arabia must regroup before the tackle Cabo Verde.

Pivotal stat

On the other side, lamine Yamal (18 years, as well as 343 days) has become the eighth youngest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history books, and the subsequent youngest for Spain at the competition. Only Gavi's strike against Costa Rica in 2022 was found the net at a younger age (18 years, as well as 110 days).

Michelob Ultra Superior Star of the Contest

Furthermore, mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)

What they commented...

"That was the plan, to play for a period, as well as get some rest, but above all to help the side. The opening fixture wasn't really us, but now we've arrived, as well as we're going for more. It turned out the way we wanted - being 3-0 up allowed me to rest, so it was perfect. Drawing a contest that you feel you should victory stings. It made us think a lot, and it helped us approach this contest exactly how we wanted to. I’ve always dreamed of being at a World Cup, and being able to find the net in my opening contest as a starter is a dream. I watched the last World Cup from a classroom, so being able to find the net here with my mum, as well as my family in the stands is a dream." Lamine Yamal (Spain frontman)

“We were not strong enough to stop Spain around our penalty area. We made too many mistakes. When a fixture is not going well, and when you concede three strikes very quickly, you feel insecure. We calmed the side down, but we were affected. That is something we often see in major tournaments. Everyone can see that when there are stars like Yamal, with individual traits, as well as one-versus-one ability like his, they make a difference. He does this so often in Spain and, as he gains better fitness, he will be even more effective.” Georgios Donis (Saudi Arabia manager)