Spain reignited their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a crushing 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their Group H encounter, delivering a dominant display that underlined their status as one of the tournament favourites.
After being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opening match, Luis de la Fuente’s side responded in style, overwhelming the Saudis with a devastating first-half performance that effectively settled the contest before the interval.
The breakthrough arrived after just 10 minutes when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal opened the scoring. The Barcelona starlet latched onto a pass from Mikel Oyarzabal before calmly finding the net to give La Roja the perfect start.
Spain doubled their advantage 11 minutes later through Oyarzabal, who turned home a delivery from defender Aymeric Laporte to put the European champions firmly in control.
The Real Sociedad forward was not finished there. Just three minutes later, Oyarzabal struck again, finishing expertly from Dani Olmo’s assist to complete a devastating spell that left Saudi Arabia reeling.
With Spain leading 3-0 at half-time, Saudi Arabia struggled to find a way back into the contest as De la Fuente’s men continued to dominate possession and create chances.
The fourth goal arrived shortly after the restart when Saudi defender Hassan Al-Tombakti inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 49th minute, compounding an already miserable afternoon for the Green Falcons.
Saudi Arabia’s frustrations continued as they failed to register a meaningful response, while Spain remained in complete control throughout the second half. A late effort from Ferran Torres was ruled out following a VAR review, denying the Spaniards an even more emphatic scoreline.
The comprehensive victory lifts Spain firmly back into contention for qualification from Group H and provides a major confidence boost ahead of their decisive final group match against Uruguay.
For Saudi Arabia, the heavy defeat represents a significant setback after their encouraging draw with Uruguay in their opening fixture. The Middle Eastern side must now regroup quickly as they prepare for a crucial final group-stage showdown with Cape Verde.
Spain’s blend of youthful flair and attacking precision proved too much for Saudi Arabia, with Yamal and Oyarzabal leading the charge in a performance that served as a timely reminder of La Roja’s World Cup ambitions.
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