Spain Run Riot in Atlanta With 4-0 Thrashing of Saudi Arabia

Spain Run Riot in Atlanta With 4-0 Thrashing of Saudi Arabia

After the shock of a goalless draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde, questions were being asked of the European champions. But Luis de la Fuente's side answered in the most brutal way possible, dismantling Saudi Arabia with a first-half performance of devastating quality that left the Green Falcons shell-shocked and this Group H tie effectively over within 25 minutes. The Spanish faithful inside the Atlanta Stadium witnessed a masterclass in attacking football as La Roja rediscovered their swagger, reminding everyone why they are considered one of the tournament favorites. It took just ten minutes for Spain to draw first blood. Mikel Oyarzabal drove down the left and delivered a low inviting cross to the back post, where Lamine Yamal, restored to the starting line-up after being introduced from the bench against Cape Verde, slid in to steer home from close range for his first World Cup goal. On 21 minutes, after a pinball sequence from a corner, Dani Olmo flicked the ball towards the six-yard box and Aymeric Laporte nodded it into Oyarzabal's path to bundle home. Then, barely three minutes later, Marc Cucurella's touch was nodded on by Olmo and Oyarzabal was there again, poking home from close range to complete his brace. That third goal came just before the hydration break, the game was already done and dusted. Yhe second half continued in similar fashion. Just four minutes after the restart, the eighth own goal of the tournament arrived when Cucurella smashed a volley at goal from a corner, the effort was saved but bounced back off the unfortunate Hassan Al Tambakti and rolled in. Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al Owais in goal was their best performer, making sharp stops to deny Oyarzabal and Yamal before those saves ultimately counted for nothing. The Green Falcons barely got out of their own half, let alone threaten Unai Simon's goal. With the game already won, De la Fuente rested his best talents at the break, bringing off Yamal and Oyarzabal for Yeremy Pino and Ferran Torres, but the damage had long been done. The result puts Spain firmly in control of Group H with four points, while Saudi Arabia will need to regroup after a painful defeat that leaves their hopes of advancing in serious trouble. For the European champions, the message is clear, they are back and they mean business