Spain Thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 in World Cup Group H Clash
Spain Thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 in World Cup Group H Clash
Spain produced a dominant performance to defeat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their FIFA World Cup Group H encounter on Sunday, boosting their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
Newera News learnt that Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace, a Lamine Yamal opener, and an own goal from Hassan Tambakti helped Spain secure all three points in Group H in their Sunday evening matchup against Saudi Arabia.
The Spanish side bounced back strongly after being held to a draw in their opening match.
Spain took control early and opened the scoring in the 10th minute through teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The winger finished calmly at the back post after receiving a precise cross from Mikel Oyarzabal, giving Spain a deserved 1-0 lead.
The Europeans doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Oyarzabal found space inside the penalty area and fired past the Saudi goalkeeper. Just three minutes later, Oyarzabal struck again, completing his brace and extending Spain’s lead to 3-0 after only 24 minutes of play.
Saudi Arabia struggled to cope with Spain’s relentless attacking pressure and created few clear-cut chances throughout the first half. Spain maintained possession and controlled the tempo of the game.
Four minutes into the second half, Spain added a fourth goal. Defender Hassan Al Tambakti inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with a dangerous Spanish attack, making it 4-0 for La Roja.
Spain continued to create opportunities and even had a fifth goal scored by Ferran Torres ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
The comprehensive victory lifts Spain to four points in Group H, while Saudi Arabia remains on one point after two matches.
Spain will now prepare for a crucial final group-stage encounter against Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia must seek a positive result in their next match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Goals:
10′ Lamine Yamal (Spain) – 1-0
21′ Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 2-0
24′ Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 3-0
49′ Hassan Al Tambakti (Own Goal) – 4-0
Final Score: Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia.
The early goal barrage also meant manager Luis de la Fuente could rest his key attackers in the second half. Yamal didn’t start Spain’s 0-0 tie with Cape Verde as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered late in the club season with Barcelona. He was unlikely to go all 90 minutes anyway on Sunday, but de la Fuente didn’t have to risk Yamal playing more than 45 minutes.
The same went for Oyarzabal, who was much more lively on Sunday than he was to open the World Cup. Having his teenage teammate on the field on the right flank certainly helped a lot against Saudi Arabia, and Oyarzabal almost absurdly completed a hat trick before halftime when his shot from an awkward angle to a nearly open goal bounced off the crossbar.
