On his 65th birthday, Luis de la Fuente received the perfect gift from his team. The Spain coach enjoyed a triumphant afternoon in Atlanta as his players bounced back from their previous match, decisively defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0 before halftime. All doubts from their lackluster opener dissipated quickly. Lamine Yamal, embodying the spirit of enjoyment, opened the scoring just ten minutes into the match.
Yamal, making his first start after a hamstring injury suffered in April, netted the first goal, followed by two more from Mikel Oyarzabal within the first 24 minutes. With four total goals by halftime, Spain’s commanding lead allowed De la Fuente to rotate his squad, bringing in Mikel Merino and Nico Williams to gain valuable experience. The coach emphasized Spain’s intent to return to their winning ways, and they did just that.
De la Fuente made four changes to the starting lineup, opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation in place of the previous 4-3-3 that had resulted in a goalless draw against Cape Verde. Newcomers Pedro Porro, Álex Baena, and Dani Olmo made significant contributions, but it was Yamal, the 18-year-old forward compared to artistic legends like Salvador Dali and Michelangelo, who truly shone. Although he was substituted at halftime, his impact was felt throughout the match.
Spain’s dominance was established almost immediately, as they were ahead 3-0 within 24 minutes. The opening goal came from Yamal’s clever play, where a quick Cruyff turn left Salem Al-Dawsari behind. A brilliant pass from Baena allowed Oyarzabal to cross the ball, and Yamal slid in at the far post to score. As he celebrated, he acknowledged the significance of his achievement, having made history as one of the youngest scorers in World Cup history.
Oyarzabal was just finding his rhythm; the striker who had yet to touch the ball in the first half-hour against Cape Verde quickly made his mark with an assist and two goals. His first goal came when Saudi Arabia mishandled a corner, allowing Aymeric Laporte to head the ball down for a simple finish. Less than two minutes later, Oyarzabal showcased Spain’s attacking ambition, scoring from a well-executed sequence involving multiple players and a precise cross from Pedro Porro.
Almost securing a third goal, Oyarzabal’s stunning shot hit the crossbar before he was replaced at halftime, having already made a substantial contribution. Despite being less in the spotlight, Oyarzabal’s impressive record now stands at 14 goals and seven assists in his last 13 appearances for Spain.
Spain’s offensive display was relentless, totaling 17 shots throughout the match. Following the disappointing opening game, De la Fuente acknowledged the criticism the team faced, stating they were “stung” and had a point to prove. With players like Pedri and Olmo finding space and Rodri controlling the midfield, Spain maintained over 70% possession, dominating the field and showing their intent to announce their return.
Even defensively, Yamal demonstrated his commitment by sprinting back to thwart a rare Saudi Arabian attack before halftime. Exhausted, he left the pitch, but his significance in the tournament remains crucial, especially considering past injury concerns. Spain continued to push forward, and after another poorly defended corner, Marc Cucurella volleyed in the fourth goal, which was later credited as an own goal by Hassan Al-Tambakti.
As the match neared its conclusion, substitutions were made, with Pedri and Baena joining Yamal and Oyarzabal on the sidelines. Merino and Williams entered the game, contributing to a comfortable finish. A brilliant pass from Williams nearly set up Yéremy Pino for a fifth goal, and while Ferran Torres found the net in stoppage time, it was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review. Ultimately, De la Fuente celebrated a birthday filled with joy and accomplishment, having witnessed a remarkable performance from his team.
