Inspired by teenager Lamine Yamal and a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal in the first half, Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 to claim their first victory of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Spain recovered spectacularly to increase their chances of making it to the knockout round after being held to a disappointing goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opening Group H match.
Coach Luis de la Fuente gave Yamal his first World Cup start, and he quickly made an impression on the grandest platform of sport.
After ten minutes, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger opened the score by reaching the far post to convert a low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal after Saudi Arabia was unable to contain the threat.
After Brazilian great Pele in 1958, Yamal became the second player under the age of eighteen to score the first goal in a World Cup match.
With rapid passing and movement in the last third, Spain frequently stretched the Saudi defence as they maintained their control over possession and territory.
When Saudi Arabia failed to clear a corner, Oyarzabal responded fastest and sent a low attempt past custodian Mohammad Al-Owais, giving the Europeans a double advantage.
The Real Sociedad attacker scored once more just three minutes later. Before halftime, Oyarzabal neatly swiped home at the far post after Dani Olmo flicked the ball into his path, making it 3-0.
Before halftime, Oyarzabal intercepted a loose pass from Al-Owais and almost gave Spain a fourth goal, but his attempt struck the crossbar.
At halftime, Yamal and Oyarzabal were both substituted, but Spain’s superiority persisted after the break.
Shortly after the restart, Marc Cucurella’s strong drive was stopped by Al-Owais, but the rebound bounced off defender Hassan Al Tambakti and into the net for the fourth goal.
Throughout the game, Saudi Arabia had trouble creating opportunities and didn’t score until Abdullah Al Hamddan put the Spanish goalkeeper to the test late in the second half.
Ferran Torres appeared to have given Spain a fifth goal in stoppage time, but after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside.
With the win, Spain is now firmly back in the running for a spot in the World Cup knockout stages in Group H.