Spain dominates Group H of the 2026 World Cup with a partial 3-0 lead over Saudi Arabia at the Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium). The main protagonists of the match on the second day are Lamine Yamal, scorer of his first goal in a World Cup, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored a double and an assist in an outstanding performance.
At minute 10, Spain opened the scoring. After a recovery in midfield, Oyarzabal gained the baseline on the left and sent a precise low cross. Lamine Yamal, 18, appeared at the far post and finished first to beat Mohammed Al-Owais. It was the young Spaniard’s first goal in World Cup history.
The second goal came in the 21st minute and was signed by Oyarzabal. The forward received in a dangerous area, combined with Pedri and defined with precision before the departure of Al-Owais.
Before the break, at minute 38, Oyarzabal completed his double after an outstanding collective action by Spain. The attacker received a filtered pass, controlled inside the area and finished cross to establish the 3-0.
With two goals and an assist, Oyarzabal left behind the criticism received after his discreet performance against Cape Verde, a match in which he had little participation in attack. According to Opta Joe, a company specialized in sports statistics, Oyarzabal He was the first player on record since the 1966 World Cup in England who played the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match without intervening with a single touch of the ball.
Now, as he chooses, with two goals and one assist, Oyarzabal is only the second player on record (since 1966) to participate in three goals (goal or assist) in the first 25 minutes of a FIFA World Cup match, after Hungarian László Fazekas against El Salvador in 1982 (1 goal, 2 assists).
Dominion of Spain
The team led by Luis de la Fuente was vastly superior during the first half. With a dynamic team and protagonist with the ball, Spain controlled possession, generated multiple scoring opportunities and showed a more forceful version than the one exhibited in the goalless draw against Cape Verde.
Saudi Arabia, led by Georgios Donis, was outmatched in different sectors of the field. Despite maintaining defensive order during some passages of the match, they were unable to clearly disturb the goal defended by Unai Simón.
Group H situation
With this partial result, Spain adds four points and provisionally assumes the lead in Group H. Saudi Arabia remains with one unit, awaiting the result between Uruguay and Cape Verde.
If the advantage is maintained, the Spanish team will be in a favorable position to ensure its qualification for the round of 16 on the last day.
Lamine Yamal confirms his status as one of the great emerging figures of the tournament, while Oyarzabal responds with prominence on a decisive afternoon for Spain. Luis de la Fuente’s team sends, for now, a positive signal in its aspiration to compete for the title.
The game continues at Atlanta Stadium.
Update at minute 40.