Lamine Yamal lifts Spain, while Uruguay faces a World Cup crisis

Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia restored confidence in the European champions and left them set to finish first in the group even if they draw their final match in Guadalajara. The victory, achieved without conceding in the tournament so far, highlighted the growing influence of 18-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who has shaken off injury and helped spark Mikel Oyarzabal. Yamal could become the second teenager after Pelé in 1958 to score in consecutive World Cup matches.

Coach Luis de la Fuente was satisfied with Spain’s second-match lineup and appears unlikely to change it. Pedro Porro started at right back, Dani Olmo kept his place in midfield ahead of Fabián Ruiz, and Alex Baena filled the left wing. Center back Aymeric Laporte said, “Teams have played us in every possible way and with every system, and still we have not lost in 33 straight matches.” He added, “It depends on us, on the way we play. If we are in form, we are very hard to beat.”

Uruguay, meanwhile, has unexpectedly failed to win after two rounds and now risks missing the World Cup at the group stage for the second straight time. The two-time world champion, from 1930 and 1950, could be eliminated without a win for the first time since 2002. Frustration over draws with Saudi Arabia, 1-1, and Cape Verde, 2-2, has focused on a disorganized defense, where Fernando Muslera and his back line made costly mistakes.

Marcelo Bielsa is still backing the veteran goalkeeper, who is likely to retire from the national team if Uruguay is eliminated. Matías Viña is expected to return at left back, and Federico Viñas is preferred up front over Darwin Núñez. Bielsa said, “We lack the final touch,” but critics in Uruguay are again asking why he did not call up Luis Suárez. The 70-year-old coach is also facing renewed reminders of Argentina’s shock 2002 group-stage exit under his management.