Yamal Returns As Spain Secure Big World Cup…

Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Spain secured their first win at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second Group H encounter on Sunday evening.

Fixture: Spain v Saudi Arabia
Score: 4-0
Goalscorers: Yamal (10′), Oyarzabal (21′, 24′), Tambakti (OG 49′)

La Roja started the campaign in disappointing fashion after being held to a goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde, while Saudi Arabia were able to secure a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their opening encounter.

Lamine Yamal was included in the starting line-up after coming off the bench against Cape Verde last weekend, so it was no surprise that the majority of Spain’s attacks in the early stages went through the Barcelona attacker, whose big moment arrived on ten minutes when he opened the scoring with his first-ever World Cup by turning home a cross from Mikel Oyarzabal at the far post.

The floodgates seemingly opened thereafter as La Roja extended their advantage as Oyarzabal got his name on the score-sheet by firing home at the far post, before the midfielder completed his brace three minutes later with another simple finish after being picked out by Olmo.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, offered no real resistance in the opening 45 minutes, where they spent the entire stanza defending in their own half, with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon barely getting a touch of the ball in his own box.

The situation did not improve for Saudi after the halftime break, in fact Spain added a fourth goal five minutes into the second period when Marc Cucurella’s effort deflected off Hassan Tambakti and sailed into the back of the net.

The Saudi did show a little adventure towards the end of the second period, as Abdullah Al Hamdan managed to carve out an opening after 81 minutes with a powerful strike from just outside the box, but Simon was on hand to make the save.

However, Spain thought they had scored a fifth goal in the first minute of time added on when Ferran Torres turned home Pedro Porro’s cross, but the goal did not stand after the former deemed to have been offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as the four goals were enough to get the job done.

Key Performer:

Spain did most of their damage in the first half, with Oyarzabal being the chief destroyer by getting the assist for Yamal’s goal before adding a quick-fire brace of his own.

Next Fixtures:

Spain: Uruguay

Saudi Arabia: Cape Verde

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