Spain got its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign back on track with an easy 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday at Atlanta Stadium.
Spain opened its tournament with a shock scoreless draw against Cape Verde that saw it enter the second match day with just one point. Now, Spain is in the driver’s seat in Group H with four points and four goals to its name.
Here are four takeaways from the match:
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Spain superstar Lamine Yamal got the start against Saudi Arabia on Sunday after coming on as a substitute in its opening match against Cape Verde. While it’s clear that the 18-year-old still has some rust to shake off after he missed the final weeks of the season with a torn left hamstring, he is such a difference-maker for Spain that, for now, it doesn’t matter.
Yamal opened his World Cup account with a goal in his second-ever appearance at the tournament and his first-ever start. He is the eighth-youngest player to score at the World Cup, surpassing Lionel Messi with his 10th-minute goal.
Yes, there were moments Yamal didn’t look like himself — three of his five shots on goal were off-target, and he only completed two of his six attempted crosses — but that’s expected to come with time. And if that time comes, Spain will be a tough team to beat.
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Sunday was the first time that someone watching Spain would be able to tell that a recent Ballon d’Or winner was on its roster. Rodri was a maestro in the midfield against Saudi Arabia, completing 95% of his passes (113-of-119), including 100% of his long balls (6/6), and recovering the ball eight times.
Rodri will see tougher opponents as the tournament goes on, with all due respect to Saudi Arabia, but if he can continue stacking these performances, building his confidence and improving his fitness, Spain can reach a level that not even the most optimistic of outlooks could have predicted.
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