Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia Player Ratings: Yamal & Oyarzabal The Star Performers As Spain Return To Winning Ways With A Ruthless Display

Spain came into the game against Saudi Arabia looking for answers to their horrendous finishing, which was displayed in the 0-0 stalemate against Cape Verde, while Saudi Arabia had eyes on the three points at stake after being held to a 1-1 draw against Uruguay.

The Atlanta Stadium was full of Spanish supporters, and Luis de La Fuente's side felt really at home. The Spain national football team started with their free-flowing Tiki Taka, something the Saudi Arabians were finding hard to catch hold of.

In the 10th minute, Alex Baena's lovely threaded ball was met by a brilliant run from Mikel Oyarzabal, who drilled in a low cross for Lamine Yamal to tap home at the far post. This was one of the best young players currently, Lamine Yamal's first start in a World Cup, and he certainly enjoyed it.

The Real Sociedad man turned out to be the goalscorer next, as Saudi Arabia failed to deal with a corner which fell to Dani Olmo. He flicked it into the six-yard box, and another attempt to clear the danger was not taken well by the Saudi defenders.

The ball found its way to Aymeric Laporte, who placed it for Mikel Oyarzabal, whose shot went off Mohammed Al Owais into the far post in the 21st minute. Just three minutes later, Pedro Porro's cross found Marc Cucurella in the box, who laid it off for Dani Olmo initially.

The attacking midfielder nodded it to Oyarzabal at the far post, who finished with ease to bring up his second of the game. The second half was no different, as Cucurella's shot that was saved by Al Owais struck Hassan Al Tambakti before rolling into the Saudi net in the 49th minute.

De La Fuente rested several of his important players very early on in the second half, a luxury you can only have when you are four goals up. Ferran Torres thought he had made it five for his team, but a lengthy VAR check deemed it offside.

Saudi Arabia looked completely clueless and just couldn't find an answer to the fluid gameplay of La Roja. Three important points for Spain, with a superior goal difference, while the Saudi Arabia national football team are left hanging for a probable third-place in the group, provided other results go their way.

Check out the Spain vs Saudi Arabia Player Ratings below.

Key Takeaways

• Salem Al-Dawsari won the most duels in this match (9).
• Mikel Oyarzabal became the second player after Hungary's László Fazekas against El Salvador in 1982 (1 goal, 2 assists), to have scored or assisted three goals within the first 25 minutes of a FIFA World Cup match.
• Pedro Porro recorded the most successful key passes in this fixture (3).

Spain National Football Team Player Ratings vs Saudi Arabia

Here are the Spain national football team player ratings from the Spain vs Saudi Arabia Player Ratings.

Saudi Arabia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Spain

Take a look at the Saudi Arabia national football team player ratings from the Spain vs Saudi Arabia Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Mikel Oyarzabal was the man of the match from Spain vs Saudi Arabia.

Worst Performer

Hassan Al Tambakti was the worst performer in this FIFA World Cup group stage fixture.