ATLANTA, Ga. — The 2024 FIFA World Cup Group H campaign got a jolt of energy on Sunday, as the return of teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal unlocked reigning European champion Spain to a dominant 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Coming off a frustrating goalless draw against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde in their opening group fixture, the pre-tournament title favorites had faced growing scrutiny over their slow start and overreliance on possession without cutting-edge finishing. That narrative shifted completely within 10 minutes of kickoff, when Yamal — making his first starting appearance in two months after recovering from a hamstring injury — ended Spain’s 200-minute wait for a World Cup goal.
The Barcelona winger’s opening strike set the tone for a blistering first-half onslaught that put the game out of reach before the break. Mikel Oyarzabal, the in-form Real Sociedad forward, capitalized on two set-piece opportunities to double Spain’s lead in the 14th minute and extend the margin to 3-0 just three minutes later, sending Luis de la Fuente’s side into halftime with an unassailable advantage.
Sticking to his pre-planned minutes management for the injury-prone 18-year-old, De la Fuente withdrew Yamal at halftime, alongside Oyarzabal, to keep the pair fresh for upcoming group stage matches. Spain’s relentless attacking pressure did not let up, however, and the final blow came in the second half when a deflected effort off Saudi defender Hassan al-Tambakti slid into the back of the net for an own goal that rounded out the 4-0 scoreline.
The result catapults Spain (1 win, 1 draw, 4 points) to the top of Group C heading into the final round of group fixtures, setting up a high-stakes clash with two-time world champions Uruguay in Guadalajara next Friday. Uruguay, who entered Sunday’s play level on points with Spain, face Cape Verde later the same day in a match that will shape knockout stage qualification.
Sunday’s win also marked a memorable milestone for De la Fuente, who celebrated his 65th birthday with a statement performance that answered all critics who questioned his tactics after the opening draw. The Spanish manager made four changes to his starting lineup for the match, bringing in Yamal alongside Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena, and the adjustments paid off immediately. The second half also gave valuable match minutes to returning injured players Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, who came off the bench to build up match fitness ahead of the knockout stage.
For Saudi Arabia, the result leaves the Asian side facing a do-or-die final group game against Cape Verde in Houston. The Arabian Falcons held Uruguay to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture, but Sunday’s lopsided defeat has ramped up pressure on manager Georgios Donis, who voiced clear frustration after the match that two of Spain’s goals came from corner kick set pieces. A win against Cape Verde would see Saudi Arabia advance to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since the tournament was last hosted in the United States 32 years ago, but anything less will see them exit the competition early.