Lamine Yamal scores in 10 minutes as Spain crushes Saudi Arabia 4-0

Lamine Yamal needed just ten minutes to justify his return to the Spanish starting eleven. Making his first World Cup 2026 start, the FC Barcelona winger opened the scoring against Saudi Arabia by converting a cross from Mikel Oyarzabal, propelling La Roja to a commanding 4-0 victory in the second group stage match.

The 18-year-old prospect’s appearance in the first match against Cape Verde (0-0) had not been enough to unlock an uninspired Spain. Facing a far more permissive Saudi defence, the machine clicked into gear quickly. Oyarzabal, who provided the cross for the opening goal, doubled the lead in the 21st minute with a finish from Aymeric Laporte’s pass, before scoring again three minutes later, this time set up by Dani Olmo.

The score was 3-0 before half-time. Luis de la Fuente took the opportunity to rest his two key players: Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal were replaced by Ferran Torres and Yeremy Pino after the interval.

The second half, less intense, produced only one additional goal: an own goal by Tambakti, conceded following a Marc Cucurella corner in the 49th minute.

With this victory, Spain bounces back after the initial stumble and sits atop its group. It will play its final group stage match against Uruguay.