Spain responded to their disappointing opening match at the 2026 World Cup against Cape Verde with a dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal, and Mikel Oyarzabal set him up before adding two goals of his own in the first 25 minutes, turning the match into a one-sided display.
Spanish media described the performance as a statement of intent. COPE wrote that within three minutes Spain already had more shots on target than they managed against Cape Verde, adding that Yamal had declared Spain's ambition to be champions and that Pedri was involved in everything during an excellent first half. Commentator Enrique Ortega also praised Dani Olmo and Alex Baena, saying Spain looked like a genuine team rather than just a collection of talented players.
Ortega noted that Yamal became the only player besides Pele to score before turning 19 in both the Euros and the World Cup, with Pele having done so in the Copa America and the World Cup. Other Spanish coverage said the team was intense and fast, comparing it to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, while also criticizing Saudi Arabia's defense as dreadful and saying Spain could score whenever it wanted.
