Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

European champions Spain searched for their first win of the tournament when they faced Saudi Arabia at the Atlanta Stadium to kick off the second round of fixtures in Group H. Saudi Arabia went into the game off the back of an impressive draw with Uruguay, meanwhile, Spain were held to a goalless draw against Cape Verde. However, Spain did not hold back this time round, and it's now very clear that the European Champions are in town.

From the first whistle, Spain looked much improved, with Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal sparking life into the attacking third for Spain. After a misplaced goal kick for Mohammed Al Owais, Rodri intercepted the ball in the middle of the park before passing it to Mikel Oyarzabal. After a brilliant give and go, Oyarzabal blazed a ball across goal for Lamine Yamal, who scored his first ever World Cup goal to put Spain ahead after only 10 minutes.

It became the Lamine Yamal show after his goal, and Spain nearly had their second after the Barcelona winger danced through the Saudi Arabian defence, only for Pedri to skew his shot wide. Now, Spain were firmly on top, pinning Saudi Arabia in their own half and controlling the game with ease.

Yamal was bringing an array of confidence into the Spanish frontline, and Mikel Oyarzabal excelled in the false 9 role. Oyarzabal picked up the scraps from a corner to tap the ball past Al Owais and give Spain their second. Shortly after, the floodgates had well and truly opened for Spain, and Mikel Oyarzabal bagged his second by cushioning the ball into the back of the net following a beautiful piece of play between Marc Cucurella and Dani Olmo.

As the teams entered the first hydration break, Saudi Arabia were very lucky to only have conceded three, and the game looked like it was over before it had even begun.

Following the interval, Saudi Arabia went from bad to worse, with the side struggling to find an outlet to Spain's pressure around their box. However, completely against the run of play, the side strung together a few nice passages of play through Al-Dawsari, but their rest bike was short-lived as Aymeric Laporte held firm and Spain pierced into the final third once more.

By the end of the first half, Saudi Arabia looked utterly deflated. Their energy had evaporated, and they moved as if the match were already over despite having an entire half left to play.

Halftime Score: Spain 3-0 Saudi Arabia

Trailing by three, Saudi Arabia looked for an immediate response to a dismal first-half showing, with striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan and attacking midfielder Mohamed Kanno entering the field of the play. They began the half brightly, orchestrating an attack on the Spanish goal before being caught offside.

Spain made two changes at half time, with Crystal Palace winger Yéremi Pino and Barcelona forward Ferran Torres both coming on. The depth and gulf in class came to the forefront as Spain found their fourth. Marc Cucurella was left unmarked in the box following a corner and volleyed the ball towards the goal. The goal was credited as an own-goal from central defender Al Tambakti, but the new Real Madrid man will feel that his name was on that one. However, after being denied his first, Cucurella looked hungry to grab one for himself, popping up on the left of the box several times like only he could, but the ball wouldn't fall kindly for him.

As the game dwindled towards the final hydration break, Spain were stretching their legs by bringing on some new blood, and Saudi Arabia couldn't get a sniff of possession. It was Spanish football at its finest, brilliant runs, direct passes, and pure control.

Saudi Arabia were clutching onto loose balls for the final 15 minutes, desperately trying to give the fans something to cheer about, but Spain were simply just too strong. Nearly forcing another own goal, Nico Williams was making the most of his cameo appearance down the left-wing, and it all looked done and dusted.

Spain thought they had grabbed their fifth in the dying embers of the game with Ferran Torres getting on the end of a mesmerising move from Spain, but the goal was ruled out by VAR as offside.

A much less exciting first half than second, but Spain got the job done. The European champions now comfortably sit at the top of Group H and look poised to go through to the knockouts.

Full Time Score: Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

Spain Player Ratings

• Unai Simón (6)
• Pedro Porro (8)
• Pau Cubarsí (7)
• Aymeric Laporte (8)
• Marc Cucurella (8)
• Rodri (8)
• Pedri (7)
• Dani Olmo (7)
• Lamine Yamal (8)
• Mikel Oyarzabal (9)
• Álex Baena (7)
• Yéremi Pino (7)
• Ferran Torres (7)
• Nico Williams (7)
• Fabián Ruiz (7)

Saudi Arabia Player Ratings

• Mohammed Al Owais (5)
• Abdulelah Al Amri (5)
• Ali Lajami (5)
• Hassan Al Tambakti (4)
• Saud Abdulhamid (5)
• Moteb Al-Harbi (5)
• Musab Al-Juwayr (5)
• Abdullah Alkhaibari (5)
• Nasser Al-Dawsari (5)
• Salem Al-Dawsari (6)
• Firas Al-Buraikan (5)
• Mohamed Kannon (5)
• Abdullah Al-Hamdan (5)
• Alaa Hajji (5)
• Mohammed Abu Al Shamat (5)

Man Of The Match - Mikel Oyarzabal

Mikel Oyarzabal was substituted at half-time, but one half was all he needed to earn the man of the match award. Two goals and an assist for the Real Sociedad forward more than made up for his poor performance against Cape Verde.

The 29-year old took his tally to 27 goals in 56 appearances for Spain, which is an impressive record, and now he's regained his form, he will prove crucial to the side as they plot a deep run in the tournament.

Bad Day In The Office - Hassan Al Tambakti

This could've gone to any of the Saudi Arabian backline today, but when you put one in the back of your own net, you become an easy target.

The Al Hilal centre-back was poor today, completing few tackles and hardly stamping his authority. Nonetheless, Al Tambakti will need to dust himself off quickly if Saudi Arabia are to grab anything from this World Cup.