Read 4 minutesNew Delhi22 Jun 2026 12:28 AM IST
Few could have dealt a more crushing blow to a Goliath-esque Spain than Cape Verde’s Sacha David kept at bay. Coach Luis de la Fuente said as much ahead of the World Cup favourites’ meeting with Saudi Arabia.
“The team is shocked and sometimes criticism is motivating. Players read things, they get angry and tomorrow’s game will be very different.”
Six nights after failing to break down Cape Verde’s resistance at the same Atlanta stadium, La Rosa improved in style. Lamine Yamal’s first World Cup begins thrashed their Asian rivals ruthlessly 4-0.
The Green Falcons, seeking to emulate the great Cape Verde escape, employed a back five in a departure from their usual 4-4-2 formation. But that was scant insurance against the 18-year-old’s artistry.
Yamal showed what Spain had been missing from the start, threatening around the Saudi defense in the first minute.
Ten minutes pressed into the Saudi half after a delightful transition in midfield, as the ball found Mikel Oyarzabal on the left.
The frontman, who got his first touch against Cape Verde after just 30 minutes, glanced a charging Yamal to his right and squared the ball. The teenage sensation from Barcelona glided effortlessly and deftly tapped in from a narrow gap past keeper Mohamed Al-Owes. Just like that, a new superstar had arrived to shine on the biggest stage.
Story continues below this ad
Against the Blue Sharks, the missing creative juices were on full display. Provider Oyarzabal soon became the finisher, netting twice in the space of three minutes.
First, Dani Olmo sent a corner to Aymeric Laporte, who was able to nod Oyarzabal forward. The Real Sociedad captain did the rest, beating Al-Owes to his right.
Another cross opened up the Saudi defense and Olmo set up Oyerzabal to strike for his second. Spain were 3-0 up before the first hydration break, and looked good to many.
Oyarzabal almost completed his hat-trick in the 36th century with a superb triple that flicked over the crossbar. That no more goals were scored until half-time was more down to Spain’s minor errors than the Green Falcons’ resistance.
Story continues below this ad
Unfortunately for Georgios Donis’ men, the Spanish side resumed after the lemon break. Substitute Ferran Torres’s corner was met by Mark Cucurella, who headed it in with his left foot. The powerful shot was on target and took a deflection off Hassan Al-Tambakti before going in.
Saudi’s first shot came in the 81st minute, easily saved by Unai Simon.
Spain found the back of the net for the fifth time, only to have the goal disallowed on video review. A well-timed move saw Pedro Porro wait for Torres to slot home the ball in the six-yard box, but the Barcelona attacker was adjudged to be slightly offside.
Unlike their previous outings, where Spain were unable to move the ball through the middle, La Rosa got plenty of space on the wings as well as through the middle.
Story continues below this ad
Saudi Arabia is still not out of the tournament and Spain is still one point away from the knockout stages. But the game showed just how powerful the European champions can be at full tilt.