Following a shocking scoreless draw against Cape Verde in their opener, the European champions Spain desperately needed a strong performance, and they confidently delivered right from the starting whistle.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal made an immediate impact upon returning to the starting lineup. In the 10th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal delivered a perfect cross, allowing Yamal to slide in at the back post and score his first-ever World Cup goal.
This early breakthrough set the tone for the rest of the match, as Spain’s fast and organized attacks thoroughly overwhelmed the Saudi defense. Oyarzabal quickly transitioned from playmaker to goalscorer. He capitalized on the sustained Spanish pressure to score two rapid goals in the 21st and 24th minutes, effectively sealing the game before halftime. Spain headed into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead, having completely controlled the tempo and possession.
The second half brought no relief for Saudi Arabia. Just four minutes after the restart, an unfortunate deflection led to an own goal by Hassan Altambakti, extending Spain’s lead to 4-0. The commanding victory puts Spain at the top of Group H and successfully restores their status as tournament favourites.