Spain finally announce World Cup arrival as Yamal, Oyarzabal star in Saudi win

Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal were the stars of the show as Spain finally announced their arrival at the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia.

The pressure was immense on La Roja to produce not only a win, but a performance after a dismal goalless draw against Cape Verde in their Group H opener on Monday.

It was one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history - but Spain hit back at any critics with a classic showing of quick passing, attacking football and lots of goals.

Yamal was back in the starting XI after an electric cameo last week and immediately showed why he is one of the best players in the world. He poked home Oyarzabal's low, fizzing cross on a tight angle for his first World Cup goal on his first World Cup start.

Lamine Yamal is only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match - the other was a 17-year-old Pele for Brazil vs Wales in 1958.

Oyarzabal's quickfire double soon put Spain out of sight - all before the first hydration break in the 25th minute. His first was a scrappy poke home at the back post, before a more intentional finish two minutes later.

He should have completed his hat-trick after collecting a poor back pass from Mohammed Al Owais, but his first-time hit pinged off the top of the crossbar.

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal is the only player to score two and set up another in the opening 25 minutes of a World Cup match on record (since 1966).

Oyarzabal and Yamal were replaced at half-time, which a smart move from Luis de la Fuente - who celebrated his 65th birthday on Sunday - with more trying tests to come.

While Spain were less intense after the break, they remained dominant, but it was an unfortunate own goal that added the fourth. Marc Cucurella's initial effort from a flicked-on corner was initially well-saved by Al Owais, but the rebound hit Hassan Al Tambakti and into the back of the net.

La Roja thought they had a fifth in added time as Ferran Torres turned home Fabian Ruiz's cross. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside.

It sends Spain top of Group H ahead of Uruguay's game against Cape Verde at 11pm on Sunday, while Saudi Arabia go bottom.

Lamine Yamal's electric start to this game lifted Spain's level and put them on course for a commanding performance. He provided the spark that was missing against Cape Verde.

His goal after just 10 minutes was not one of his typical, beautiful works of art. But a back-post poacher finish suggests this is a player primed to add serious goal numbers to his already wonderful creativity and craft. It was his first World Cup goal but it will not be the last.

Yamal has risen to that challenge at club level and he now relishes being the main man for his country. Dribbles, crosses, shots - he flew out of the blocks to deliver all three here. He showed his team-mates the way in Atlanta.

When Yamal hit the net, Spain had already completed 39 passes. No team at this tournament had done that so far. They then became the first country since Germany in 2014 to score three goals inside 25 minutes.

There is quality running right through this Spain squad but on Sunday we saw how a superstar can inspire those around him to reach the levels they need to hit to show off their best.

1: Lamine Yamal is involved within seconds as Abdulelah Al Amri nods away his right-wing cross.

11: GOAL! Yamal scores his first World Cup goal with a poked finish on a tight angle.

21: GOAL! Spain score a scrappy second as Oyarzabal pokes home.

23: GOAL! Two minutes later, Oyarzabal scores again as he turns the ball past the goalkeeper from close range.

36: Oyarzabal pings an effort off the top of the crossbar in pursuit of his hat-trick after a Al Owais error.

49: GOAL! Spain extend their lead to four through Hassan Al Tambakti's own goal.

90+2: GOAL! Torres turns home Spain's fifth, but there is a VAR review for offside.

90+5: NO GOAL! After a lengthy VAR review, Torres' goal is ruled out.

At a rate of almost an own goal every four games, World Cup 2026 has been the most unfortunate for defenders of any finals in the competition's history.

Hassan Al-Tambakti's unwanted addition was the tournament's eighth own goal - already more than any previous edition bar World Cup 2018, with the group stage barely halfway through.