Spain finally clicked into gear at the World Cup with a hugely impressive 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, moving top of Group H with four points from two matches.
Spain, the pre-tournament favourites, had been held to a chastening goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opener, but teenage sensation Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes, latching onto a whipped Mikel Oyarzabal cross at the back post to finish on the slide after Alex Baena had threaded the move down the line. The 18-year-old, still working back to full fitness, fell to his knees in celebration as the crowd inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium rose for him, becoming the first player in history to start a match at both the European Championship and the World Cup while aged 18 or younger.
Oyarzabal then took centre stage himself, doubling Spain’s lead in the 21st minute after profiting from a clever flick by Aymeric Laporte, before adding a third just three minutes later, poking home from close range after Dani Olmo headed back across the six yard area. It capped a remarkable turnaround for the forward, who had gone unnoticed for half an hour against Cape Verde but now had two goals and an assist inside 25 minutes, taking his tally to 14 goals and seven assists in his last 13 appearances for the national side. The woodwork denied him a first-half hat-trick.
Saudi Arabia, who threatened little going forward, saw captain Salem Aldawsari booked for a late challenge on Pedro Porro, while defender Abdulelah Al Amri’s audacious effort from inside his own half drifted well off target. Head coach Luis de la Fuente withdrew both Yamal and Oyarzabal at the interval with the job done, sending on Yeremy Pino and Ferran Torres.
Spain’s dominance continued after the break. Marc Cucurella’s volley from a corner was turned into his own net by Hassan Al Tambakti just four minutes into the second half, making it 4-0. Substitute Ferran Torres thought he had added a fifth in stoppage time, only for a lengthy VAR check to rule the finish offside after Pedro Porro’s cross.
Spain recorded a second consecutive clean sheet and now face Uruguay in their final group match as they look to finish top.
