Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Spain has delivered a dominant performance to defeat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and teenage star Lamine Yamal making an immediate impact on his return to the starting lineup.
After being frustrated in a surprising goalless draw against tournament newcomers Cabo Verde in their opening match, La Roja responded emphatically, overwhelming Saudi Arabia from the opening whistle and taking firm control of Group play.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Spain wasted little time asserting their authority, pinning Saudi Arabia deep inside their own half and creating a succession of chances.
The breakthrough arrived when Oyarzabal delivered a precise cross into the penalty area, allowing Yamal to slide in and finish confidently for the opening goal. The strike rewarded Spain’s early pressure and gave the 18-year-old winger an instant impact on his return to the side.
Saudi Arabia struggled to cope with Spain’s relentless attacking waves, and the lead quickly doubled. A failure to clear the ball effectively inside their own penalty area allowed Oyarzabal to pounce from close range and find the net.
Just three minutes later, the Spanish forward struck again under similar circumstances, capitalizing on another defensive lapse to complete his brace and put Spain firmly in command before the first hydration break.
Oyarzabal Denied Hat-Trick
The Spanish attacker nearly completed a first-half hat-trick as he continued to torment the Saudi defense. First, Oyarzabal attempted an audacious effort after intercepting a poor clearance, only to see his shot clip the top of the crossbar. Moments later, he drove a low effort across goal that drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
Despite the missed opportunities, Spain entered halftime with a comfortable three-goal advantage and complete control of proceedings.
Spain Maintain Pressure After the Break
Head coach Luis de la Fuente opted to withdraw both Yamal and Oyarzabal at halftime, but Spain’s dominance showed no signs of fading.
The fourth goal arrived after Marc Cucurella unleashed a volley that was initially saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Owais. However, the rebound took an unfortunate deflection off defender Hassan Altambakti and rolled into the net for an own goal.
The strike effectively ended any hopes of a Saudi comeback and capped another polished attacking display from the European side.
Qualification Within Reach
The convincing victory leaves Spain in a strong position heading into their final group-stage fixture against Uruguay. A single point from that match will be enough to secure progression to the Round of 32.
For Saudi Arabia, the heavy defeat serves as a significant setback. They must quickly regroup ahead of a crucial encounter with Cabo Verde, where their hopes of advancing in the tournament could be on the line.
After the disappointment of their opening draw, Spain produced the response expected of one of the tournament favorites, combining attacking flair, relentless pressure, and defensive control in a commanding four-goal victory.
