Oyarzabal fires Spain into Group H control

Lamine Yamal’s early slide changed Spain’s tournament pulse, and Mikel Oyarzabal turned it into a 4-0 command performance against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta. After the frustration of a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, Luis de la Fuente’s side responded with the sharpness and control their opening match had lacked.

Yamal sparks Spain’s reset

Spain were on top almost immediately, pinning Saudi Arabia deep and turning possession into pressure rather than sterile circulation. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute, when Oyarzabal crossed for Yamal to slide home on his return to the starting XI.

That goal changed the feel of Group H as much as the match. Cape Verde had been the true surprise of the section after holding Spain and then drawing with Uruguay, but this was Spain restoring order before the first hydration break.

Oyarzabal punishes Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia could not clear their lines under the waves of pressure, and Oyarzabal punished them twice in three minutes. He made it 2-0 in the 21st minute and added another close-range finish in the 24th, giving Spain a 3-0 half-time lead and complete control of the evening.

The scoreline matched the pattern. Spain had 67% possession, 22 shots to Saudi Arabia’s 3, and 8 on target to 1, while a passing volume of 668 to 292 underlined how little relief Saudi Arabia found. Oyarzabal even came close to a first-half treble, clipping the top of the bar before later driving narrowly wide.

Spain seizes control before Uruguay

There was little let-up after the interval, even after both Spain goalscorers were withdrawn at half-time. In the 49th minute, Hassan Altambakti could only deflect into his own net after Mohammed Alowais saved Marc Cucurella’s volley.

Spain now lead Group H with 4 points, 4 goals scored and none conceded, while Saudi Arabia sit fourth on 1 point with 5 conceded. Uruguay are next for Spain on 27 June, when a draw will be enough to secure progression to the Round of 32; Saudi Arabia must regroup for Cape Verde, the group’s surprise disruptor.

Match Information

Competition: World Cup, Group Stage - 2. Date & Time: Sunday 21 June 2026, 18:00 CET. Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Referee: Raphael Claus, Brazil.