Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia: Yamal & Oyarzabal Star as La Roja Cruise Into World Cup 2026 Last 16

Spain have served notice to every team left in the 2026 World Cup. After being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in their opener, La Roja bounced back in the most emphatic fashion possible — crushing Saudi Arabia 4-0 to all but book their place in the last 16. Lamine Yamal marked his return to the starting XI with the opening goal, Mikel Oyarzabal added a clinical brace, and an own goal completed the rout. England, if you’re watching — beware.

Yamal’s return transforms Spain into genuine title contenders

The absence of Lamine Yamal against Cape Verde told the whole story. Spain were toothless, unable to break down a determined defensive block, and the goalless draw felt like a serious warning sign. With the 18-year-old Barcelona winger back in the fold, everything changed. Yamal opened the scoring with a composed, confident finish and dictated the tempo throughout, leaving the Saudi defence chasing shadows for 90 minutes.

For England fans watching carefully from the other side of the draw, this performance will raise serious eyebrows. Yamal’s pace, his dribbling ability, his sheer unpredictability — these are the qualities that define world-class attackers. If England’s coaching staff haven’t spent considerable time planning how to stop the Barcelona prodigy, they will pay a very heavy price when it matters most.

Oyarzabal silences critics with a devastating brace

Mikel Oyarzabal had come in for sharp criticism following the Cape Verde stalemate, but the Real Sociedad striker answered in the most emphatic way possible: two second-half goals that erased all doubts about his place in this Spain squad. His finishing was clinical, his movement intelligent, and his confidence — once questioned — is now sky-high heading into the knockout rounds.

Spain’s attacking depth is the envy of virtually every nation at this World Cup. While England carry concerns about consistent firepower up front, La Roja can call upon Yamal, Oyarzabal, and a host of further options without skipping a beat. Luis de la Fuente has a selection headache in the best possible sense — and that is precisely the kind of luxury that could carry Spain all the way to the final.

What Spain’s 4-0 win means for the 2026 World Cup knockout picture

Spain now have four points from two games and are virtually through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. A single point in their final group game will confirm their place. More importantly, finishing top of Group H would hand them a potentially cleaner route through the early knockout rounds — avoiding the strongest second-placed finishers for as long as possible.

England, navigating their own path through the group stage, must now consider Spain among the two or three most dangerous teams in this entire tournament. The European champions showed vulnerability against Cape Verde, but their response against Saudi Arabia demonstrated precisely why they are among the favourites. When Yamal is firing and Oyarzabal is scoring, La Roja are close to unstoppable — and that is something every remaining team in this World Cup must now take very seriously indeed.

FAQ