Spain Defend World Cup Hopes After 4-0 Win Against Saudi Arabia, De La Fuente Responds To Critics

Spain moved close to the World Cup knockout stages as Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal led a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, easing pressure after the goalless opener against Cape Verde. Yamal struck his first World Cup goal, Oyarzabal added two more, and Hassan Al Tambakti scored an own goal at Atlanta Stadium.

The result left Spain in a strong position to finish first in Group F, while Saudi Arabia's chances now depend on the final round. La Roja also extended an unbeaten sequence in all competitions, further strengthening Luis de la Fuente's defence of a squad that has faced recent criticism.

Spain are now without defeat in 32 consecutive matches across competitions, with 23 wins and nine draws. This streak is the second-longest in Spain's history, behind a 35-game run from February 2007 to June 2009. De la Fuente argued that such consistency should temper reaction to the stalemate with tournament debutants Cape Verde.

That opening match finished 0-0 and triggered questions about Spain's attack before facing Saudi Arabia. De la Fuente insisted the reaction did not match the team's long record of results in competitive fixtures, which stretches back more than three years without a defeat in any official game.

When someone questions your work, it is only human that anyone with courage and pride reacts to prove people wrong, said De la Fuente. We shouldn't view that criticism as a source of annoyance, but it pushes people to bring out their best. My only point is that it needs to be kept in perspective. It strikes me as absurd to doubt this team that has not lost in 33 consecutive games. To doubt this generation? I find that unfair.

Spain set the tone early at Atlanta Stadium, striking in the 10th minute when Yamal finished calmly for a first World Cup goal. Oyarzabal then transformed the contest before half-time, scoring twice in three minutes to give La Roja a commanding 3-0 advantage and complete a dominant first period.

De la Fuente substituted both Yamal and Oyarzabal during the interval, yet Spain still added a fourth. Four minutes after the restart, a low cross caused confusion and Hassan Al Tambakti diverted the ball into the Saudi net. Spain then managed the game, avoiding injuries and controlling possession with little serious threat faced.

Spain World Cup star Mikel Oyarzabal’s turnaround

Oyarzabal entered this match under scrutiny after the draw with Cape Verde, when he became the first player on record with 0 touches in the opening 30 minutes of a World Cup game. Against Saudi Arabia, however, Oyarzabal produced one of the most productive starts ever recorded in the tournament.

With two goals and one assist inside 25 minutes, Oyarzabal became only the second player since 1966 to register three goal involvements so early in a World Cup match. The previous instance came from Hungary's Laszlo Fazekas against El Salvador in 1982, when Fazekas recorded one goal and two assists.

Oyarzabal's broader record for Spain has also been outstanding since the start of 2025. The forward has contributed 21 goal involvements in 14 internationals, scoring 14 times and providing seven assists. That figure equals Erling Haaland's 21 contributions, the best tally by any European player for a national team during this period.

People who understand football rate him incredibly highly; he has a massive impact on the national team, De la Fuente addedwhen asked if Oyarzabal is underrated. I want to champion Mikel because he is a player capable of making history for Spanish football.

Spain World Cup clash exposes Saudi Arabia defensive issues

Saudi Arabia now face Cape Verde on the final matchday, still able to reach the last 16 but under pressure after this heavy loss. Georgios Donis' team had drawn with Uruguay in their first Group F match, yet they struggled badly to limit Spain's movement or create chances of their own in Atlanta.

Saudi Arabia managed only three attempts, producing an expected goals value of 0.14 and leaving Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon with a quiet afternoon. At World Cups overall, Saudi Arabia have now allowed 49 goals in 21 games. That average of 2.3 goals conceded per match is the highest among nations with at least 10 appearances.

We decided to play with three centre backs, so with five across the back and have a low block and to do as best we could possibly defensively, Donis said. But we had to be stronger and stop the ball. There was no single reason for what didn't go well for us, but the key is we were not strong enough around the edge of our box. Spain scored early with excellent pace, and this affected our morale. After that, we made a lot of mistakes when we had the ball at our feet. When a game is not going well and when you concede three goalsquickly, you feel insecure. Obviously, we were affected, but you see that often in football. That is only natural.

Donis had hoped the back five and low block would delay Spain's attacks and protect the defensive line. Instead, the early goal altered the game plan, damaged belief and exposed gaps around the penalty area, where Spain repeatedly found space for runners such as Yamal and Oyarzabal.

Spain left Atlanta with control of Group F and a renewed sense that criticism after the Cape Verde draw had been excessive. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, must improve defensively against Cape Verde to keep knockout hopes alive, while Spain look to maintain a long unbeaten run and secure first place.