Yamal makes a goalscoring return for Spain as European champions get their World Cup campaign back on track.
Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain strolled to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group H, as Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals and Luis de la Fuente’s side found their groove after an underwhelming World Cup opener.
Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute on Sunday and Oyarzabal, who failed to register a touch in the opening half hour in Monday’s scoreless draw with Cape Verde, scored twice in quick succession as Spain had the game wrapped up by half-time.
An own goal shortly after the interval failed to reopen the floodgates, as Spain used the opportunity to make changes and rest their scorers.
De la Fuente celebrated his 65th birthday in style, and Yamal, whose only football in the last two months came as a substitute against Cape Verde, sparked life into the team that returned to Atlanta Stadium.
A huge cheer greeted Yamal’s first touch, twisting and turning his marker before playing a teasing cross which was cleared by Abdulelah Alamri, the scorer of Saudi Arabia’s goal in their 1-1 with Uruguay.
The opening goal came with Oyarzabal sending an inviting ball across the box and Yamal was there sliding in at the back post to score his first World Cup goal.
Having toiled in vain in their opening game, the goal relaxed Spain, who began to carve open the Saudi defence at will, and the second goal came from a corner.
Dani Olmo sent the ball back into the mix which the Saudis failed to clear and Aymeric Laporte nodded down to Oyarzabal who bundled the ball into the net.
Three minutes later, Spain were in again with a beautifully worked goal. Pedro Porro floated a pass into the area and the ball never touched the ground until it found the net.
Marc Cucurella’s hooked pass found Olmo who headed into the six-yard box for Oyarzabal to tap-in on the volley, as the striker proved that given the right service, he is Spain’s man to deliver.
Spain replaced Yamal and Oyarzabal for the second half, but picked up where they left off when the Saudi goalkeeper blocked Cucurella’s volley from a corner and the ball ricocheted off defender Hassan Altambakti and into the net.
The European champions continued to create chances, but understandably took their foot off the gas on a day when even Vozinha, Cape Verde’s 40-year-old hero keeper, would have struggled against this version of Spain, who look back to their best.
Spain advance to four points in the standings while Saudi Arabia stay on one after two games each. The other teams in the group, Cape Verde and Uruguay, meet later on Sunday in Miami.
Oyarzabal said he was happy to get the win and with his own performance after criticism of how he played agianst Cape Verde.
“It’s not about proving myself. I’ve always said I feel loved by my teammates, the coach, the staff day-to-day. That’s what counts for me,” he told the media.
“People will talk outside. We know how the football world works, but we have to stay relaxed.”
Yamal said it was a “dream” to score in a World Cup.
“I watched the last World Cup from a classroom, so being able to score here with my mum and my family in the stands is a dream come true,” he said.