Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia: Oyarzabal brace and Yamal return power La Roja bounce-back
Atlanta, USA
Spain delivered a statement performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, dismantling Saudi Arabia 4-0 to get their campaign back on track after an opening 0-0 draw with tournament debutants Cabo Verde.
From the first whistle at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Luis de la Fuente’s side played with urgency and intent. After being frustrated by Cabo Verde’s defensive block four days earlier, La Roja pinned Saudi Arabia deep and created wave after wave of pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 10th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal drove to the byline and pulled the ball back for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who slid in at the far post to mark his return to the starting XI with a composed finish. The 17-year-old’s impact was immediate and set the tone for a dominant first half.
Oyarzabal then took center stage. In the 21st minute, he reacted quickest after Saudi Arabia failed to clear a corner, turning in from close range. Three minutes later, he struck again, pouncing on another loose ball inside the box to make it 3-0 before the first scheduled hydration break. The Real Sociedad forward was relentless, and he almost had a hat-trick before half-time. He clipped the top of the bar with an audacious shot following a poor clearance, then drove an effort across the face of goal that narrowly missed the far corner.
Despite withdrawing both goal scorers at half-time, Spain maintained control after the interval. The fourth goal arrived in the 49th minute through misfortune for the opposition. Marc Cucurella’s volley was parried by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais, but Saudi defender Hassan Altambakti could only divert the rebound into his own net under pressure.
The victory gives Spain a crucial three points and a major boost to their goal difference. With one group game remaining, La Roja know a point against Uruguay will be enough to secure progress to the Round of 32. For Saudi Arabia, the result is a setback but not fatal. Roberto Mancini’s team will now turn their attention to Cabo Verde, where they must regroup and find a response to keep their knockout stage hopes alive in a competitive group.
Spain goalscorers: Lamine Yamal 10’, Mikel Oyarzabal 21’, 24’
Own goal: Hassan Altambakti 49’ OGTags: Spain, Saudi Arabia, World Cup 2026, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, FIFA World Cup, Atlanta, Group Stage, La Roja
Oyarzabal named Player of the Match
Mikel Oyarzabal’s two goals and constant threat in the final third earned him the Michelob ULTRA Superior Player of the Match award. The Real Sociedad forward’s movement and finishing were key as Spain turned pressure into goals. His brace took him to the top of Spain’s scoring chart for the tournament so far.
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