Yamal Scores on First World Cup Start as Spain Thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0

Spain finally got their World Cup campaign moving on Sunday evening, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0 behind a goal from teenage star Lamine Yamal in his first start of the tournament.

Yamal had come off the bench in Spain's opener, a flat 0-0 draw with Cape Verde that left fans frustrated. This time, manager Luis de la Fuente put him in the starting lineup from the first whistle, and the Barcelona forward didn't waste the chance. 

Just 10 minutes in, he tapped home a low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal after the ball slipped past a Saudi defender. At 18, Yamal became only the second teenager ever to score the opening goal in a World Cup match, joining Pele, who did it back in 1958.

Spain kept pouring forward from there. Oyarzabal made it 2-0 not long after, slotting a low shot past the goalkeeper when Saudi Arabia failed to clear a corner. Three minutes later he struck again, sweeping in a flick from Dani Olmo to put the game out of reach before halftime. He nearly added a third goal too, hitting the crossbar after picking off a stray pass from the Saudi keeper.

Both Yamal and Oyarzabal were subbed off at the break, but Spain didn't slow down. Early in the second half, a deflected shot from Marc Cucurella bounced in off a Saudi Arabia defender to make it 4-0. Saudi Arabia barely threatened all game, getting just one shot on target with 10 minutes left to play. Late in stoppage time, a Spain goal was ruled out for offside after a long video review.

The win pushes Spain to the top of Group H with four points from two games. They will carry plenty of momentum into their next match against Uruguay. 

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will need a win over Cape Verde in their final group game just to avoid an early exit.