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Jun 23, 2026 Major6
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Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal star in World Cup Group H
Spain dominated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their Group H World Cup match, with Lamine Yamal scoring on his first World Cup start and Mikel Oyarzabal netting a brace. The victory lifted Spain to the top of the group after their opening draw with Cape Verde, while Saudi Arabia remain on one point.




Quick Facts
Who
Spain
What
Spain won 4-0 against Saudi Arabia in a World Cup Group H match
When
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Where
Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Spain won 4-0 against Saudi Arabia in a World Cup Group H match
- Yamal scored his first World Cup goal
- Oyarzabal scored a brace
- Al Tambakti scored an own goal
- Yamal performed sujoud after scoring
Spain delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their Group H match at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday, with Lamine Yamal scoring on his first World Cup start and Mikel Oyarzabal netting a brace. The win, played before 68,239 spectators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marked a resounding response to Spain's goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opener. Yamal, 18, opened the scoring in the 10th minute, becoming the youngest player to score in a World Cup match since Pelé. Oyarzabal added two goals in quick succession within three minutes, helping Spain take a three-goal lead before the first hydration break. An own goal by Saudi Arabia's Hassan Al Tambakti in the 49th minute extended the lead to 4-0, though a potential fifth goal by Ferran Torres was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.
Spain's tactical adjustments, including Yamal's promotion to the starting XI and a midfield reshuffle that allowed Pedri to drop deeper alongside Rodri, proved decisive. Coach Luis de la Fuente made four changes from the opening draw, also bringing in Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo, and Álex Baena. The team raced to a 3-0 lead within 25 minutes, becoming the first side since Germany in 2014 to achieve that feat in a World Cup match. Spain dominated possession with 66.6% and created four big chances, accumulating an expected goals (xG) of 2.85.
Yamal, who had been recovering from a hamstring injury and came off the bench against Cape Verde, answered pre-match taunts from Saudi fans with his performance. After his goal, he performed the sujoud, a Muslim act of prostration, and later posted on Instagram: "I'm here." Oyarzabal, who scored twice, praised Yamal, saying: "We're talking about one of the best players in the world and one of those who has the biggest impact on games. We really benefit from what he creates and the chaos he can generate for the opposition."
The victory lifted Spain to the top of Group H with four points, while Saudi Arabia remain on one point after their opening draw with Uruguay. Spain will close the group stage on Friday against an opponent to be determined, needing at least a draw to secure progression.
Why This Matters
This result reshapes Group H with Spain on four points and needing only a draw in their final group match to advance. Saudi Arabia, on one point, must now win their final match and hope for other results to go their way, making their path to the knockout stage significantly harder.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 21, 2026
WireSpain faced Saudi Arabia in Group H at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Jun 21, 2026
WireSpain vs Saudi Arabia kick-off at Atlanta Stadium
Jun 21, 2026
WireLamine Yamal scores first World Cup goal, Spain 1-0
Jun 21, 2026
WireMikel Oyarzabal scores, Spain 2-0
Jun 21, 2026
WireOyarzabal scores again, Spain 3-0
Jun 21, 2026
WireHassan Al Tambakti own goal, Spain 4-0
Jun 21, 2026
WireMatch ends, Spain wins 4-0
Entities
- FC Barcelona
- Georgia, USA
- Spain national football team
- 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Hassan Al Tambakti
- Atlanta
- Rodri
- Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Mikel Oyarzabal
- Lamine Yamal
- Georgia
- United States
- Luis de la Fuente
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Saudi Arabia national football team
- Ferran Torres
- Georgios Donis
- Pedri
Sources
- Xinhua sports topshotxinhuaMediaJun 23, 2026
- Lamine Yamal says ‘I’m here’: Spain star dazzles with World Cup goalAl JazeeraMediaJun 23, 2026
- World Cup 2026: Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia - Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal star as La Roja earn first Group H winSky SportsMediaJun 23, 2026
- Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia: Yamal, Oyarzabal run riot in first half as La Roja kickstart campaign - as it happenedESPN IndiaMediaJun 23, 2026
- Spain have Lamine Yamal back and finally resemble World Cup contendersESPN IndiaMediaJun 23, 2026
- Yamal causes chaos for our rivals, says Spain striker OyarzabalxinhuaMediaJun 24, 2026