Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace alongside one goal from Lamine Yamal saw Spain claimed a massive 4-0 victory against Saudi Arabia.
After a frustrating, scoreless draw against Cape Verde in their tournament opener, the 2010 champions looked like a team rejuvenated.
They controlled the pitch with the quick, purposeful ball movement that manager Luis de la Fuente demands.
The tone was set almost immediately. With a clear intent to move past their previous struggles, Spain pressed high and stifled the Saudi defensive setup.
The breakthrough came in the 10th minute. Lamine Yamal, making his first start of the World Cup, showcased his predatory instincts at the back post to tuck home a cross, opening the scoring.
At just 18 years old, the goal cemented his place in history, marking him as the second-youngest player to score an opening goal in a World Cup match, an achievement surpassed only by the legendary Pelé in 1958.
The pressure did not relent as they kept on pushing for more. Mikel Oyarzabal, who had struggled to find his rhythm in the opening game, became the hero of the first half.
He doubled Spain’s lead in the 21st minute and, showing clinical composure, added a second just three minutes later.
By the 24th minute, Spain had already established a 3-0 lead, effectively putting the match out of reach before the halftime whistle even blew. The second half saw the La Roja’s maintain dominance while managing their energy.
Just three minutes after the restart, the Spanish national team lead expanded further when a powerful strike from Marc Cucurella took a deflection off Saudi defender Hassan Altambakti, resulting in an own goal.
As the half progressed, the La Roja’s made a series of substitutions, including introducing fresh legs like Nico Williams and Ferran Torres, to sustain their rhythm.
Saudi Arabia, despite their best efforts to break through the Spanish line, struggled to possess the ball for any meaningful duration against Spain’s disciplined press.
A late surge from Ferran Torres nearly added a fifth, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee review.
However, the match came to an end with the Spanish national team claiming the much needed victory 4-0 against the Saudis to get themselves top of the group with four points.
For the Spanish squad, this win represents much more than three points. It is a vital confidence builder as they head towards their last group game.
The victory proved that their offensive unit can break down compact defensive formations which is the very issue that plagued them against Cape Verde.
The fluidity between the midfield and the attacking trio of Yamal, Oyarzabal, and Dani Olmo suggested a side beginning to peak at the right time.
For Saudi Arabia, the match proved a difficult afternoon in the Georgia heat. While they fought with resilience, the sheer intensity of the Spanish attack proved overwhelming.
They will look to regroup as they continue their Group H campaign, hoping to replicate the resilience that historically saw them shock major opponents in previous tournaments.
With this emphatic 4-0 win, the La Roja’s now stands firmly back in contention, proving their status as tournament favorites.
The performance in Atlanta served as a clear message to the rest of the competition that Spain has officially found their form.
