Lamine Yamal Scores First Goal in World Cup When Spain Destroys Saudi Arabia
June 23, 2026 · Global
Spain showed their World Cup potential with a dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, highlighted by Lamine Yamal's first World Cup goal.
World Cup favorites Spain confirmed their credentials with a thumping 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, led by young star Lamine Yamal. The European champions came to the United States as one of the main candidates for the trophy, but that prediction was questioned after the 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. However, those worries were soon put to rest when Spain scored three goals in the first 24 minutes to take top spot in Group H, although they could have added to their tally had they not relaxed their game in the second half. Yamal, Barcelona's 18-year-old star, played the final 19 minutes against Cape Verde after suffering an injury, and marked his World Cup debut with the opener. Mikel Oyarzabal showed his goalscoring ability with two quick goals after earlier providing the assist for Yamal's goal, before Hassan Al Tambakti added to Saudi Arabia's misery with an own goal in the second half – his eighth own goal at this World Cup. The Greens rarely threatened before Ferran Torres saw his stoppage-time effort rejected for offside following a lengthy VAR check. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made four changes, with Alex Baena, Dani Olmo and Pedro Porro joining Yamal in the starting line-up. Saudi Arabia immediately implemented a deep deep block, but Yamal shone on his debut since April 22, firing a shot in the fourth minute and setting up a chance for Porro before opening his World Cup goal account. Baena's pass in the 10th minute set Oyarzabal free and his cross was met by Yamal, who slid in at the far post for his seventh international goal. Oyarzabal forced Mohammed Al-Owais into a smart low save and went wide after being set up by Baena, but the Real Sociedad striker – who came under criticism for not touching the ball in the first half hour against Cape Verde – scored after 21 minutes when Olmo's ill-advised shot hit a defender. Aymeric Laporte steered the ball into his path and Oyarzabal scored with the outside of his left foot. Oyarzabal celebrated again three minutes later when Marc Cucurella kept out Porro's cross at the far post and Olmo headed it across the face of goal. A close-range volley took Oyarzabal to 27 goals in 55 appearances for Spain, and he almost grabbed a hat-trick when Al-Owais played the ball to him on the edge of the area. The angle was unfavorable, but he lifted the ball onto the crossbar as Al-Owais raced back towards his goal. Spain withdrew both of their scorers at the break with the upcoming test in mind, but their lead was extended within four minutes of the restart. Cucurella headed the ball towards goal after being left unmarked from a corner and when Al-Owais tipped the ball towards Al Tambakti, it sailed over the line. Spain should have added to their tally in stoppage time when Torres scored, but after a three-minute VAR review, he was ultimately flagged for offside.