Spain led Saudi Arabia 3-0 at halftime in their World Cup 2026 group match after a dominant first 45 minutes. The Spaniards started aggressively on Sunday and were ahead by the 11th minute, when Lamine Yamal finished from close range after a precise cross from Mikel Oyarzabal. The goal was Yamal's first of the tournament and helped restore confidence after Spain's disappointing draw with Cape Verde.
Spain kept control of the tempo throughout the half and doubled the lead in the 21st minute. Oyarzabal pounced on a scramble in the Saudi penalty area after a corner and poked the ball home. Three minutes later, he completed his brace with a neat team move finished off from a Dani Olmo pass.
Spain did not slow down after the third goal. Oyarzabal was close to a hat-trick, hitting the crossbar after a major error by the Saudi goalkeeper and missing other chances. Yamal, Pedri and Dani Olmo also continued to threaten, while Saudi Arabia struggled for long stretches to get out of its own half.
At the break, Spain was said to be playing its best match of the tournament and looked on course for its first World Cup win.
