Yamal returns with a goal for Spain as the European champions get their World Cup activities back on track.
Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain secured a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Group H. Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals as Luis de la Fuente’s side regained their form after a disastrous opening World Cup defeat.
Yamal took the lead in the 10th minute on Sunday, and Oyarzabal, who had not registered a touch in the first 30 minutes of Monday’s goalless draw against Cape Verde, scored twice in quick succession and Spain were back in the game by half-time.
An own goal just after the interval didn’t open the floodgates, but Spain used the opportunity to make changes and rest their scorers.
De la Fuente celebrated his 65th birthday in style, and Yamal, whose only soccer appearance in the past two months came as a substitute against Cape Verde, energized the team back at Atlanta Stadium.
Yamal’s first touch was met with loud cheers as he twisted and spun his marker before firing a cross that was cleared by Abdulela Al Amri, who scored Saudi Arabia’s goal in the 1-1 match against Uruguay.
The first goal came from Oyarzabal, who sent an inviting ball into the box where Yamal slipped in at the back post to score his first World Cup goal.
Despite their efforts in the opening game, Spain relaxed after the goal and cut through the Saudi defense at will, with the second goal coming from a corner kick.
Dani Olmo brought the ball back into the mix and after the Saudis failed to clear, Aymeric Laporte nodded to Oyarzabal, who curled the ball into the goal.
Three minutes later, Spain pulled it back again with a stunning goal. Pedro Polo floated a pass into the area and the ball never touched the ground until it hit the net.
Olmo pounced on Marc Cucurella’s hooked pass and headed home inside the six-yard box, before Oyarzabal volleyed home. The striker has proven that if given the right services, he is a worthy player for the Spain national team.
Spain introduced Yamal and Oyarzabal in the second half, but Kukreja’s volley from a corner kick was blocked by the Saudi goalkeeper, and the ball bounced off defender Hassan al-Tambakti and into the goal.
The European champions continued to create chances, but even Bosinha, Cape Verde’s 40-year-old heroic keeper, unsurprisingly let off the gas on a day when he would have struggled against this version of Spain at his best.
Spain moved up to four points in the standings, while Saudi Arabia remained on one point after playing two games each. The other teams in the group, Cape Verde and Uruguay, will play in Miami later on Sunday.
Coach Oyarzabal said he was happy to get the win and perform as himself after being criticized for his performance against Cape Verde.
“It’s not about proving myself. I’ve always said that I feel loved every day by my teammates, coaches and staff. That’s what’s important to me,” he told the media.
“People will talk outside. We know how the football world works, but we have to be relaxed.”
Yamal said it was a “dream” to score at the World Cup.
“I watched the last World Cup in the classroom, so it was a dream come true to be able to finish in the stands with my mom and family,” he said.
