Spain delivered the statement performance they desperately needed at the FIFA World Cup 2026, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 to claim their first victory of the tournament and move to the top of Group H.
After a disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening match, the pressure was firmly on the 2010 world champions to respond. Spain answered in emphatic fashion, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and forward Mikel Oyarzabal leading a dominant display that left Saudi Arabia with no chance of mounting a challenge.
The convincing win not only revived Spain's campaign but also sent a clear message to the rest of the tournament.
Yamal Makes History in First World Cup Start
All eyes were on Lamine Yamal after his lively substitute appearance against Cape Verde, and the Barcelona youngster wasted no time proving why he deserved a place in the starting lineup.
The 18-year-old opened the scoring in the 10th minute of his first World Cup start. The move began with a dangerous low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal on the left wing. The ball slipped past Saudi defender Hassan Al Tambakti and found Yamal at the far post, where he calmly tapped home.
The goal placed Yamal in the history books. He became only the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal in a World Cup match, following Brazilian legend Pele, who achieved the feat in 1958.
The early strike immediately settled Spain and gave them the confidence to play with freedom.
Oyarzabal Takes Control of the Match
Spain continued to attack relentlessly after taking the lead.
Their pressure paid off again when Saudi Arabia failed to clear a corner. The loose ball fell kindly for Oyarzabal, who fired a low shot beyond goalkeeper Mohammad Al-Owais to double Spain's advantage.
Just three minutes later, Oyarzabal struck again.
Dani Olmo flicked the ball toward the far post, where the Real Sociedad forward arrived unmarked and calmly swept the ball into the net. The quick double effectively ended the contest before halftime.
Oyarzabal nearly completed a first-half hat-trick when he intercepted a misplaced pass from Al-Owais, but his effort crashed against the crossbar.
Even without the third goal, he had already delivered one of the finest individual performances of the tournament so far.
Spain Continue Their Dominance After the Break
Both Yamal and Oyarzabal were substituted at halftime, but Spain's control of the match remained unchanged. Luis de la Fuente's side continued to dominate possession and territory, forcing Saudi Arabia deeper into their own half.
Only three minutes into the second period, Spain found a fourth goal. Goalkeeper Al-Owais initially denied Marc Cucurella with a strong save, but the rebound struck Hassan Al Tambakti and deflected into the net for an unfortunate own goal.
At 4-0, Spain eased their intensity slightly while still controlling proceedings comfortably. Substitute Ferran Torres came close to adding another goal but dragged his shot wide after being sent through on goal. Later, Torres thought he had scored in stoppage time, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.
Saudi Arabia Struggle Throughout
Saudi Arabia never looked capable of troubling Spain. The Green Falcons struggled to create meaningful opportunities and spent most of the game defending against relentless Spanish attacks.
Their only shot on target arrived with ten minutes remaining when Abdullah Al Hamdan finally tested the Spanish goalkeeper. Apart from that isolated effort, Saudi Arabia offered little resistance and were fortunate not to suffer an even heavier defeat.
Spain's Stars Deliver on the Big Stage
Spain's improvement from their opening match was remarkable. Against Cape Verde, they lacked creativity, sharpness, and finishing quality. Against Saudi Arabia, they looked like genuine title contenders.
Yamal caused constant problems with his pace, movement, and technical ability. Having recently recovered from a hamstring injury, the teenager played with confidence and repeatedly troubled Saudi Arabia's defense.
Meanwhile, Oyarzabal enjoyed a sensational first half after a quiet outing in Spain's opener. He finished with two goals and an assist, becoming only the second player on record to be directly involved in three goals within the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match, matching a feat achieved by Hungary's Laszlo Fazekas in 1982. Spain registered 17 attempts in the first half alone and could easily have entered the break with an even larger lead.
Group H Picture Takes Shape
The victory lifts Spain to the top of Group H with four points from their first two matches. More importantly, the performance restored confidence within the squad ahead of a crucial final group-stage encounter against Uruguay.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, now face a must-win situation against Cape Verde if they hope to avoid another group-stage exit. Since the 1994 World Cup, the Green Falcons have repeatedly struggled to progress beyond the opening round, and they are now at risk of suffering another early elimination.
Focus Shifts to Final Group Matches
Spain will conclude their Group H campaign against Uruguay in Guadalajara, carrying significant momentum after their impressive display. Saudi Arabia will take on Cape Verde in Houston, knowing that a positive result is essential to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
For Spain, however, the biggest takeaway was the emergence of Lamine Yamal on the World Cup stage. Alongside Oyarzabal's brilliance, the teenager helped transform Spain from a side facing questions after their opener into one looking capable of making a deep run in the tournament.