Spain returned to form with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, reigniting their FIFA 2026 World Cup campaign. The win came thanks to a strong performance led by Lamine Yamal, who made his first start in two months following recovery from a hamstring injury. The 18-year-old Barcelona forward scored within 10 minutes, breaking Spain's goal drought in the tournament. Mikel Oyarzabal added two more goals in quick succession, helping Spain build a 3-0 lead within the first 24 minutes. In the second half, Saudi Arabia's Hassan Al-Tambakti turned the ball into his own net, completing the rout. Yamal was substituted at half-time as part of ongoing fitness management, with coach Luis de la Fuente prioritizing caution with the teenager's return. Spain had previously been held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opening match, a result that drew criticism and left the team searching for sharper attacking output. Yamal's return brought immediate impact, transforming their performance. De la Fuente made four changes to the starting lineup, introducing Yamal alongside Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo, and Alex Baena. Spain now sits atop Group H pending the outcome of Uruguay's match against Cape Verde. "We had to recover good feelings and correct a few things from the last game, but we need to keep improving if we want to achieve our target of reaching the final on July 19," De la Fuente said after the match.
Lamine Yamal was brought back into the starting lineup after two months out, yet was withdrawn at half-time despite minimal physical strain, raising questions about Spain's handling of his fitness. The team's overwhelming 4-0 win followed almost immediately after his return, suggesting his presence is pivotal. His early substitution indicates ongoing caution, but also hints at possible overprotection of a young player carrying heavy expectations. If Spain is to go far, balancing his development with tournament demands will be critical.
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