Spain Erase the Cabo Verde Nightmare in a 24-Minute Demolition
Five days ago, Spain were held to a 0-0 draw by tournament debutants Cabo Verde, and Mikel Oyarzabal absorbed most of the blame for a flat, toothless display. In Atlanta on Sunday, he answered in the loudest way possible — and it only took him three minutes to do it twice.
Lamine Yamal, starting his first match of the tournament after coming off the bench in the opener while still working back to full fitness, broke the deadlock in the 10th minute — his first-ever World Cup goal, set up by Oyarzabal himself. The goal seemed to switch something on. Eleven minutes later, Oyarzabal scored. Three minutes after that, he scored again. Spain's manager had seen enough: both players were off the pitch by halftime, the result already decided.
Key Players
Key Tactics — Who Out-Coached Who
Spain came out pressing high from the opening whistle, immediately pinning Saudi Arabia inside their own half — a sharp contrast to the passive, possession-without-purpose approach that drew criticism against Cabo Verde. Saudi Arabia, who had impressively held two-time champions Uruguay to a draw in their opener, simply couldn't replicate that discipline once they fell behind early.
- Pinned Saudi Arabia deep within the first ten minutes
- Managed the game responsibly — pulled both scorers at half once it was over
- Coach Donis: conceding three quickly left the team "insecure"
- Couldn't generate a shot of any real quality all match (0.04 xG)
Verdict: Spain's response to criticism was tactical as much as personal — a front-foot identity that bore no resemblance to the Cabo Verde performance, and a manager disciplined enough to stop pushing once the points were secured.
By the Numbers
| Stat | Spain | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Expected Goals (xG) | 2.85 | 0.04 |
| Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Goal Margin by Min 24 | 3-0 | — |
Key Moments
- 10' Lamine Yamal scores his first World Cup goal, assisted by Oyarzabal — Spain 1-0.
- 21' Oyarzabal gets on the scoresheet himself — Spain 2-0.
- 24' Oyarzabal scores again, completing the brace in barely three minutes — Spain 3-0.
- HT Both Yamal and Oyarzabal are substituted off, job done early.
- 49' Hassan Al-Tambakti turns the ball into his own net under pressure — Spain 4-0.
- Late A close-range Ferran Torres finish is ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Spain move top of Group H with four points and face Uruguay next, a genuine measuring-stick fixture after this statement win. Saudi Arabia, who impressed against Uruguay in their own opener, will need a result against Cabo Verde to keep their own knockout hopes alive. But for one afternoon in Atlanta, this was entirely about Spain reminding everyone — and themselves — what they're actually capable of.