Spain kick-started their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a convincing 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday. Inspired by a brilliant first-half display from teenage star Lamine Yamal and a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal, La Roja secured their first win of the tournament and moved firmly back into contention in the group stage.
Spain entered the match after a frustrating goalless draw against Cabo Verde in their opener but arrived unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions. Saudi Arabia also sought their first victory after drawing 1-1 with Uruguay and came into the contest on a three-match unbeaten run.
Spain immediately took control of possession and created the first chance in the fourth minute when Yamal cut inside and fired over the bar. Five minutes later, the Barcelona youngster was involved again as he picked out Dani Olmo from a corner, but the midfielder’s ambitious volley sailed well wide.
The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute. A Saudi Arabia goal kick quickly came back towards their own penalty area, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to race onto a through ball down the left.
The forward delivered a low cross across goal and Yamal arrived at the back post to slide home from close range. At 18 years old, Yamal became only the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal in a World Cup match after Pelé achieved the feat for Brazil against Wales in 1958. He also became the seventh player in history to score at a World Cup before turning 19.
Spain continued to carve open the Saudi defence. In the 14th minute, Yamal split the back line with a superb pass for Alex Baena, but goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais reacted quickly to claim the ball. Moments later, Pedri blasted over after the loose ball fell kindly into his path.
Oyarzabal then tested Al Owais with a powerful long-range effort in the 17th minute before getting on the scoresheet four minutes later. Yamal’s corner was cleared only as far as Dani Olmo, whose return ball into the box created confusion. Aymeric Laporte flicked the ball on and Oyarzabal reacted quickest to steal possession from a defender and fire home for 2-0.
Spain struck again just two minutes later to put the game beyond doubt. Pau Cubarsi delivered a cross from the right and Marc Cucurella kept the ball alive at the far post. Dani Olmo headed it back across goal and Oyarzabal was waiting on the goal line to tap in his second goal of the afternoon.
The impressive Oyarzabal became only the second player on record since 1966 to score or assist three goals within the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match. The only other player to achieve that feat was Hungary’s László Fazekas against El Salvador in 1982.
Spain continued to threaten before halftime. In the 36th minute, Al Owais gifted possession straight to Oyarzabal, but the forward lifted his effort over the crossbar with the goalkeeper stranded. He went close again six minutes later when two quick opportunities narrowly failed to complete his hat trick.
Saudi Arabia hoped for a response after the break, but Spain delivered another blow just three minutes into the second half. Cucurella found himself completely unmarked at the back post from a corner and forced a smart save from Al Owais. However, the rebound struck defender Hassan Al Tambakti and rolled into the net for an unfortunate own goal. It was the eighth own goal of the tournament, already four times the total recorded at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With a four-goal advantage, Spain comfortably controlled the remainder of the match. Saudi Arabia rarely threatened and only forced Unai Simon into meaningful action in the 81st minute when Abdullah Al Hamddan’s low effort from outside the area was comfortably gathered by the Spanish goalkeeper.
The final whistle confirmed a dominant performance from Luis de la Fuente’s side. After the disappointment of their opening draw, Spain produced an attacking masterclass, particularly during a devastating first half that overwhelmed Saudi Arabia from start to finish.
Before the match, Spain had won all three previous meetings against Saudi Arabia, scoring nine goals and conceding only two. Their only previous World Cup encounter came in 2006 when Spain claimed a narrow 1-0 victory. Spain also ended a run of four consecutive World Cup matches without a win, their joint-longest winless streak in the competition.
The result extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions and provides a major boost to their hopes of progressing deep into the tournament. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, now face a must-win situation in their final group-stage fixture after suffering a heavy defeat.
