Spain vs Saudi Arabia

Spain signalled their intentions from the opening whistle. The passing was sharper, the tempo higher, and the movement far more incisive than anything they had managed against Cape Verde four days earlier.

The breakthrough came after 10 minutes. Oyarzabal, starting on the left wing, drove to the byline and pulled a low delivery back across the six-yard box. Lamine Yamal arrived unmarked to apply a clinical first-time finish from close range, scoring his first goal in a World Cup — and doing so in his first start of the tournament.

"Lamine Yamal is such a special talent and he is still only 18 at Barcelona," former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He will be 19 the week of the World Cup final. 24 goals and 18 assists for Barcelona this season — the impact he has had, he is the outlet."

Saudi Arabia had no answer to Spain's movement in the half-spaces, and the second goal arrived in the 21st minute. Aymeric Laporte, the centre-back, played a perfectly weighted pass forward. Oyarzabal read the run superbly, took a touch to compose himself, and slotted confidently past Mohammed Al Owais.

Just three minutes later, it was 3-0. Dani Olmo slipped a pass into Oyarzabal's path on the edge of the area, and the Real Sociedad forward — who had been the assist provider for Yamal's opener — turned scorer again with a composed finish across the goalkeeper.

Oyarzabal came within inches of a first-half hat-trick, rattling the crossbar with one effort and constantly finding pockets of space behind a Saudi defence that simply could not cope with the intensity of Spain's movement. Spain led 3-0 after 23 minutes and two seconds, making it the earliest a team had scored three goals in a World Cup match since Yugoslavia against Zaire in 1974 (17 minutes and 8 seconds).

Luis de la Fuente withdrew both Yamal and Oyarzabal at half-time as a precaution, introducing Ferran Torres and Yeremy Pino. The changes did not slow Spain's momentum.

Four minutes into the second half, a corner was flicked to the back post where Marc Cucurella — the newly signed Real Madrid left-back — met it with a crisp volley. The ball deflected off Saudi defender Hassan Tambakti and crossed the line, officially recorded as an own goal but no less emphatic in its impact.

Spain continued to create chances at will. Pau Cubarsí, the teenage centre-back, produced a succession of composure-defying performances at the back while also delivering a stunning long pass to release Pedro Porro through on goal, only for Al Owais to deny the Tottenham full-back.

Rodri orchestrated proceedings from midfield with customary authority, completing more passes than the entire Saudi side in the opening hour. Saudi Arabia managed just a single shot on target all match — a long-range effort from Abdullah Al Hamdan that Unai Simón dealt with comfortably.

A late Ferran Torres goal was ruled out by VAR for offside after a lengthy three-minute check, preserving the 4-0 scoreline.

The result transforms the complexion of Group H. Spain now sit top with four points from two matches, while Saudi Arabia — who drew their opener against Uruguay — remain on one point alongside Cape Verde and Uruguay.

Spain's superior goal difference could prove decisive in a tight group. Their next fixture pits them against Uruguay, while Saudi Arabia face Cape Verde in a match that increasingly looks like a must-win for both sides.

• 10' — Lamine Yamal scores first World Cup goal from Oyarzabal's cross (1-0)
• 21' — Mikel Oyarzabal doubles the lead after Laporte's assist (2-0)
• 24' — Oyarzabal strikes again from Olmo's pass, his second in three minutes (3-0)
• 30' — Salem Al Dawsari booked for a foul
• HT — Yamal and Oyarzabal withdrawn; Ferran Torres and Yeremy Pino introduced
• 46' — Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal subbed off to manage workload
• 49' — Cucurella's volley deflects off Hassan Tambakti for an own goal (4-0)
• 60' — Mohamed Kanno yellow card for a foul on Rodri
• 90+2' — Ferran Torres has late goal ruled out by VAR for offside

For Spain, this was the performance they needed. The question marks raised by the Cape Verde stalemate have been answered emphatically. De la Fuente's side looked sharp, hungry, and capable of varying their approach — quicker ball circulation, aggressive wide play, and a midfield that reasserted its authority.

Former Spain defender César Azpilicueta noted on BBC One: "After the intensity they put in the first half, it's difficult to sustain in the second half and we saw they were a bit slower when moving the ball. The first half's intensity was really good."

For Saudi Arabia, there are real concerns. Hervé Renard's side defended too deep, lacked ambition in transition, and struggled to lay a glove on a Spain team that managed 22 shots (8 on target) to Saudi Arabia's 3 (1 on target). The xG disparity told its own story: Spain 2.85 — Saudi Arabia 0.14.

Mikel Oyarzabal — A goal and an assist inside 24 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time. His movement between the lines and finishing composure were exceptional. Denied a hat-trick only by the crossbar and his manager's rotation.

Lamine Yamal — Scored on his first World Cup start, constantly drove at defenders, and drew multiple fouls. The Barcelona teenager became one of the youngest Spanish scorers in World Cup history. "He wants to be the chosen one," said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Rodri — Controlled the game from deep with 668 accurate passes at 92% completion. Dictated tempo, cut out counter-attacks, and set the platform for everything Spain created.

Pau Cubarsí — The Barcelona teenager produced a defensive masterclass, reading danger before it arrived and distributing beautifully from the back.

Spain face Uruguay on 25 June in what could decide the group winners, while Saudi Arabia must regroup quickly for a pivotal clash with Cape Verde. For La Roja, the message from Atlanta is clear: this Spain team has character — and plenty of goals.