Five Things We Learned From Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

Five Things We Learned From Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

Spain thumped Saudi Arabia at the Atalanta Stadium to kick off the second round of fixtures in Group H. The European champions now sit top of the group and have their eyes poised on the knockouts.

Despite a strong performance in their first game against Uruguay, Saudi Arabia crumbled today and now look set to battle it out for the remaining qualification spots.

Here are five things we learned from today's game.

1. Yamal Is A Must

The reintroduction of Lamine Yamal into the starting XI today was instrumental. While his return was inevitable, today he proved again why he is one of the best players in the world.

It took Yamal just 10 minutes to score his first world cup goal, and his performance thereafter was something to behold. Yamal toyed with the Saudi Arabian defence all game, and showcased his world-class ability spectacularly.

The most impressive aspect of Yamal’s game may not even be his individual brilliance, but the belief he instils in those around him. His presence elevates Spain’s attack, giving teammates the confidence to take risks. Against Cape Verde, Mikel Oyarzabal looked wasteful in front of goal, yet with Yamal operating alongside him on the right, he becomes far more dangerous. Yamal doesn’t just create chances, he raises the level of the players around him.

Spain can't afford to rest their greatest weapon this World Cup.

2. The European Champions Have Arrived

After a shock to the system against Cape Verde, it's very clear that Spain have now arrived to do business.

Today, the game was wrapped up after 20 minutes, with the side blowing Saudi Arabia away in Atlanta. In every area of the pitch, Spain displayed professionalism, class, and sheer ruthlesness.

Many wrote Spain off after the goalless draw to Cape Verde, suggesting they were not the same team that won the European Championships two years ago.

However, this is the case no longer, and the side look stronger than ever before.

3. One-Sided Makes It More Boring

While we love to see goals galore, it's not always the prettiest site when a side thrashes the other. Also, when a team is firmly ahead in a game, one often finds that the quality of the game drops drastically as the job is already done.

This was the case today with Spain who, after dominating the first half, somewhat rested on their morales in the second half. Make no mistake, it bodes well for Luis de la Fuente's side going into the rest of the tournament as the players will now be brimming with confidence and well refreshed after rotation, but it may not be entirely what the fans want to see.

4. Azpilicueta Is a Joy to Listen To

For those based in the UK, they would've had the pleasure of listening to former Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta in the BBC punditry box. The Spaniard offered some brilliant insight, and it's always refreshing to see a younger face in the studio who knows the current group of players from his own playing days.

The World Cup always brings us a few interesting names as pundits and it's always refreshing to see. In the USA, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are leading the coverage, and while Azpilicueta may not have been as prolific in front of goal as the two former Barcelona men, he sits at the very same table as them when it comes to playing at the highest level.

Azpilicueta hung up his boots at the end of the season, and now the 36-year old has a lot of time on his hands, it'd be brilliant if he stuck around in the gantry, but we're tipping him for a spot in the dugout in the near future.

5. Cream Always Rises To The Top

A few times in this World Cup already, we have seen some serious shocks to the footballing world. Big sides drawing, losing, or just simply not turning up in the way they were expected to. However, when the stakes are the highest, the big boys will always deliver.

This World Cup is bigger than ever before with 48 teams, and that has made as well as will make for some compelling viewing and shocks. Yet at the end of the day, class always outshines everything else.