Yamal Announces Himself on World Cup Stage as Spain Cruise Past Saudi Arabia
Spain produced a dominant display to thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal opening the scoring and Mikel Oyarzabal bagging a brace in an impressive World Cup outing.
The Europeans took the lead after just 10 minutes when 18-year-old Lamine Yamal found the back of the net from a Mikel Oyarzabal assist, registering his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.
Spain doubled their advantage in the 21st minute as Oyarzabal finished from an Aymeric Laporte pass before adding his second just three minutes later, converting a delivery from Dani Olmo to make it 3-0.
Saudi Arabia’s frustrations began to show, with captain Salem Al-Dawsari receiving a booking on the half-hour mark. Both sides made several changes at the start of the second half, but Spain maintained their control.
The fourth goal arrived in the 49th minute when Saudi defender Hassan Altambakti inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback.
Spain continued to rotate their squad in the second half, introducing Mikel Merino, Nico Williams and Fabian Ruiz, while Saudi Arabia also made a number of substitutions.
The victory was highlighted by Yamal’s historic first World Cup goal at the age of 18 and another clinical performance from Oyarzabal, whose perfectly taken brace helped Spain secure a comfortable 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
