Spain made a strong position in Group H by defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0
Spain strengthened its position in Group H after beating Saudi Arabia 4–0. Scored three goals in the first 24 minutes and won the match easily.
Spain's World Cup campaign picked up steam after a slow start in its first match. The Euro 2024 champions won 4-0 against Saudi Arabia in Group H on Sunday, scoring three goals in the first 24 minutes. Lamin Yamal opened the scoring by heading Mikel Oyarzabal's cross at the back post, before Oyarzabal scored two goals himself, including one after a fine combination in Saudi Arabia's box.
Saudi Arabia's chances of victory were almost zero until the first half's hydration break. And when Mark Cucurella's shot at the beginning of the second half hit Saudi Arabia defender Hassan Al-Tambaqti and resulted in an own goal, their hopes were completely dashed.
This early burst of goals gave coach Luis de la Fuente the opportunity to rest his main attackers in the second half. Yamal did not start in the 0–0 tie against Cape Verde, as he was recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of the club season with Barcelona. He was unlikely to play the full 90 minutes on Sunday, but de la Fuente didn't risk playing Yamal more than 45 minutes. Similarly, Oyarzabal was also more active on Sunday.
Having his teenage teammate on the right flank helped greatly against Saudi Arabia, and Oyarzabal made an almost impossible attempt to complete a hat-trick before the first half when his shot from an awkward angle hit the crossbar towards an almost open goal.
This big win has given Spain the top position in Group H. Even if Uruguay later beats Cape Verde, Spain can still win the group with a tie against Uruguay in the final group match, provided it has a better goal difference. Saudi Arabia is now hoping for a tie between Uruguay and Cape Verde.
The team that beat Argentina at the 2022 World Cup managed just one shot in the first 80 minutes and will need to beat Cape Verde and perhaps help from elsewhere to advance to the knockout rounds.
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