Monday June 22, 2026
Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after scoring during the group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Lamine Yamal wasted little time announcing himself on the World Cup stage. Making his first start in the tournament, the Spanish teenager struck his first goal as Spain powered past Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second Group H fixture on Sunday.
Spain had opened with an unexpected 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde, a match in which Yamal appeared only as a second-half substitute. Saudi Arabia also began with a 1-1 stalemate against Uruguay.
La Roja made four changes to the starting line-up, with Yamal joined by Dani Olmo, Alex Baena and Pedro Porro. For Saudi Arabia, Salem Aldawsari spearheaded the attack.
Spain and Saudi Arabia had met only once before at the World Cup, at Germany 2006, when the Europeans edged a 1-0 win through a Juanito goal.
The European champions set the tone early and broke through in the 10th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal delivered from the left, and Yamal timed his run to perfection to finish at the back post.
Spain doubled its advantage in the 21st minute after a corner sparked confusion in the area, allowing Oyarzabal to score with a left-footed effort.
Three minutes later, Oyarzabal completed his brace. Porro whipped in a cross, Marc Cucurella redirected it to Olmo, and the ball was headed into Oyarzabal’s path for a close-range finish.
The Real Sociedad forward had a chance to complete a hat-trick in the 36th minute, but his effort struck the crossbar.
Luis de la Fuente withdrew Yamal and Oyarzabal at halftime, yet Spain’s pressure continued immediately after the restart. Cucurella’s attempt forced Hassan Altambakti into an own goal to make it 4-0.
Spain remained firmly in control but could not add to the scoreline. Ferran Torres appeared to have found a fifth in the closing moments, only for the goal to be ruled out after a lengthy VAR review.
Spain faces Uruguay in the last group game while Saudi Arabia takes on Cabo Verde.
