Yamal and Oyarzabal inspire Spain to statement rout of Saudi Arabia

Spain answered every question asked of them with a ruthless 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 21 June, blowing the game open inside the opening half hour to atone for their goalless draw with Cape Verde.

Yamal makes history, Oyarzabal doubles up

Lamine Yamal, restored to the starting XI by Luis de la Fuente, needed only 10 minutes to open the scoring, becoming the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal in a World Cup match after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958. Mikel Oyarzabal then struck twice in quick succession, poking home at the back post in the 21st minute and adding a more composed finish in the 24th.

Three in 25 minutes

By scoring three times inside 25 minutes, Spain became the first nation since Germany in 2014 to manage the feat at a World Cup. The fourth arrived after the break, an own goal in the 49th minute as Marc Cucurella's effort was saved by Al-Owais before the rebound struck Hassan Al-Tambakti and rolled in.

The win sent Spain top of Group H and confirmed their place in the Round of 32, while Saudi Arabia slipped to the bottom of the table facing an uphill battle in their final fixture.