Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 with an Oyarzabal brace to bounce back in Atlanta
Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock, Mikel Oyarzabal struck twice and an own goal sealed the rout that puts La Roja back in command of Group H.
Spain responded in the best possible way to their opening stumble, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the modern arena with a capacity of around 68,200, in a 2026 World Cup Group H match. After the disappointing 0-0 against Cape Verde, La Roja needed a win and delivered it with authority, clearing all doubts in barely an hour of football.
The game was settled early. In the 10th minute, Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock to ease the nerves, and between the 21st and 24th Mikel Oyarzabal struck a blistering brace to make it 3-0 and put the tie to bed before half-time. After the break, in the 49th minute, an own goal from Saudi defender Hatan Tambakti rounded off the rout for the final 4-0.
Oyarzabal was the afternoon's standout: on top of his two goals he provided an assist and took the player-of-the-match award with an outstanding display. Spain even came close to a fifth in stoppage time, but VAR ruled out a Ferran Torres goal in the 90th minute for an offside in the build-up.
The match had a calm disciplinary profile, with Spanish dominance also reflected in the cards: the only bookings went to Saudis Salem Al-Dawsari (30') and Mohamed Kanno (60'), outpaced by the rhythm and quality of a far superior opponent.
With this win, Spain pick up four points and move to the top of Group H with a +4 goal difference, pending the Uruguay-Cape Verde clash that closes the matchday. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, are in trouble on a single point and a heavily negative goal balance heading into the final round.
La Roja will close the group stage against Uruguay on 27 June at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, a clash that could decide top spot in the group. The win over Saudi Arabia restores belief in a side that, after the early scare, is back to looking like a contender.