With Lamine Yamal in the starting lineup scoring and Mikel Oyarzabal the absolute protagonist (two goals and an assist), Spain had a “walk” against Giorgos Donis’ Saudi Arabia.

The European champions, after the chaos in the opening match of the 8th group with Cape Verde (0-0), stormed into the “Green Eagles” with an emphatic 4-0 and with their first victory, largely secured their qualification to the “32” of the World Cup.

The “modest ceremony” at the Atlanta stadium was completed before the first half even reached 25 minutes. Yamal put “Roja” ahead in the 10th minute, assisted by Oyarhatbal, before two more goals from the Sociedad striker in the 21st and 24th minutes, thanks to which the match took on a procedural character thereafter.

In the 49th minute, after Cucurreja’s shot and Alovais’ temporary save, the ball found Altabakti and this own goal made it 4-0. In stoppage time, Torres scored into an empty net, but the Barcelona striker’s goal was disallowed after the VAR review (offside).

Now, Luis De La Fuente’s team is focused on the last match of the group against Uruguay, where, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the championship will also be played, while Giorgos Donis’ group will claim qualification for the “final” with Cape Verde. 

Referee: R. Claus (Brazil)
Yellow cards: S. Aldasari, Cano

The compositions:

SPAIN (De La Fuente): Simon, Poro, Laporte, Kubarsi, Cucurreja, Baena (61′ N. Williams), Rodri, Pedri (70′ Ruiz), Olmo (61′ Merino), Yamal (46′ Pino), Oyarzabal (46′ Torres)

SAUDI ARABIA (George Donis): Alovais, Layami, Alamri (60′ Alhaji), Altabakhti, Abdulhamid, Alharbi, N. Aldassari (90′ Alganam), Aljuwair (46′ Al Habdan), Alkaibari (46′ Kano), Albrikan (60′ Abu Alsamat), S. Aldassari