Spain bounced back from their sluggish start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their Group H encounter at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday.
The 2010 world champions had opened their campaign with a disappointing goalless draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde, raising questions about their status as one of the favourites for the title. However, La Roja responded in convincing fashion against the Green Falcons to move closer to securing a place in the knockout stage.
Spain asserted their dominance from the opening whistle and took the lead in the 10th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal delivered an excellent low cross from the left flank, and teenage star Lamine Yamal arrived at the far post to slide the ball home from close range.
The European side doubled their advantage in the 21st minute after Saudi Arabia failed to clear a corner kick. Oyarzabal reacted quickest inside the penalty area and stabbed a left-footed effort into the net to make it 2-0.
Spain continued to overwhelm their opponents and added a third goal just three minutes later. Dani Olmo headed the ball across the face of goal, allowing Oyarzabal to finish from close range and complete his brace before the midway point of the first half.
Oyarzabal nearly completed a hat-trick before the break. The forward struck the crossbar after capitalising on a misplaced pass from Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and later dragged another effort wide as Spain maintained relentless pressure.
The second half followed a similar pattern despite Spain withdrawing both Yamal and Oyarzabal. Their fourth goal arrived in the 49th minute when Marc Cucurella’s volley from a corner was saved by Al Owais, but the rebound ricocheted off defender Hassan Tambakti and into the net for an unfortunate own goal.
Spain comfortably saw out the remainder of the match and even had the ball in the net again during stoppage time through Ferran Torres, only for VAR to rule out the effort. The victory leaves Spain on the verge of qualification ahead of their final group match against Uruguay, while Saudi Arabia must beat Cape Verde to keep their hopes alive.
