Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 and reignite World Cup title talk

Spain responded to an opening disappointment at the 2026 World Cup with a dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The victory was led by Lamine Yamal, who scored his first World Cup goal, and by Mikel Oyarzabal, who assisted Yamal and added two goals himself in the first 25 minutes.

Spanish media said the result looked completely different from Spain’s earlier match against Cape Verde, which ended in frustration. On Radio COPE, analysts wrote that Spain had already put more shots on target within three minutes than in the Cape Verde game, and that Yamal had effectively declared that Spain were united and wanted the title. They also praised Pedri as being involved in every move and said the first half was exceptional.

Commentator Enrique Ortega also highlighted Dani Olmo and Alex Baena, saying both played at an outstanding level. He said Spain looked like a true team, with few national sides having such strong individual players and such cohesion. Ortega noted that Yamal, before turning 19, has scored in both the European Championship and the World Cup, something only Pelé had previously done, in the Copa America and the World Cup.

The Spanish press described the team as intense, fast, and similar to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool. They also blasted Saudi Arabia’s defending, saying Spain could score whenever it wanted.