Spain have 'washed their sins' with Saudi Arabia, forgetting their embarrassing debut and putting on a show, 4-0, in the second leg of Group H.

In the second round of Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain delivered a commanding performance against Saudi Arabia, securing a resounding 4-0 victory that erased the memory of their earlier draw with Cape Verde. The match took place in Atlanta and marked Spain's first win of the tournament, showcasing their dominance on the field. Under the guidance of head coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain made four changes to their starting lineup compared to their previous game, and these adjustments proved crucial as they asserted control early on.

From the outset, Spain displayed their superiority, pressing forward relentlessly and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Their first goal came in the 11th minute when Lamine Yamal capitalized on a well-crafted play initiated by Oyarzabal. This was Yamal’s first goal at a World Cup, marking a significant milestone in his young career. Oyarzabal, who had faced criticism after his lackluster performance against Cape Verde, responded strongly in this match, becoming a pivotal figure for Spain.

Oyarzabal continued to shine, scoring twice within just three minutes after receiving an assist from Dani Olmo. His brace not only extended Spain's lead but also set a remarkable record—he became the first player in World Cup history to contribute to three goals (two goals and one assist) within the first 24 minutes of a match. By halftime, the score stood at 3-0, and de la Fuente opted to rest both Yamal and Oyarzabal ahead of their upcoming clash with Uruguay.

Despite resting two key players, Spain maintained their dominance in the second half. They added a fourth goal shortly after the break following a sequence initiated by Cucurella, which culminated in an own goal by Saudi defender Altambakti. The match concluded with Spain comfortably leading 4-0, although a late goal by Ferran Torres in extra time was disallowed due to an offside call confirmed by VAR.

Spain's victory solidified their position at the top of Group H with four points, while Saudi Arabia remained without a point from their opening two matches. The Spanish team featured a strong defensive line composed of Unai Simón in goal, along with Pedro Porro, Iñigo Martínez, Aymeric Laporte, and José María Callejón. In midfield, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Pedri provided creativity and control, supported by substitutes such as Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, and Ferran Torres.

Saudi Arabia's lineup included goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Owais, defenders Abdulaziz Abdulhamid, Majed Al-Lajami, Altambakti, and Fawaz Al-Amri. Midfielders like Salem Al-Dawsari, Nawaf Al-Khaibari, and Nasser Al-Dawsari were instrumental in their efforts, though they struggled to create meaningful chances against Spain's organized defense. The match saw yellow cards issued to Salem Al-Dawsari and Kanno, highlighting the intensity of the contest.

The result has placed Spain in a favorable position heading into their next fixtures, where they will aim to maintain their momentum and secure progression to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia faces a challenging path ahead as they seek to recover from their early setbacks and find form in subsequent matches.