Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4–0, Cape Verde showdown looms

Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia, your World Cup is hanging by a thread

Rodri played the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Spain dismantled Saudi Arabia 4–0 in Group H (1) (2) (16). Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, Marc Cucurella, and Nico Williams all featured in a Spanish side that looked every bit the contender (1) (4) (10) (11). Unai Simón started in goal and was barely troubled (10).

The damage was comprehensive. Spanish outlets called it a thrashing, "goleada", and the post-match reaction on the Managing Madrid podcast framed it as Spain finally clicking at this World Cup (6) (10). Hassan Al Tambakti had a long night at the back for the Green Falcons (1).

Yamal's three words to Saudi fans: "I am here"

Saudi fans had taunted Lamine Yamal before the match. He answered on the pitch and then kept it brutally short after the final whistle: "Ik ben hier", "I am here" (7) (9). That was it. No need for more.

De la Fuente calls critics "absurd" after the rout

Luis de la Fuente did not hold back. Spain are now unbeaten in 33 consecutive games, and he made sure everyone knew it.

"When someone questions your work, it is only human that anyone with courage and pride reacts to prove people wrong," De la Fuente said. "It strikes me as absurd to doubt this team that has not lost in 33 consecutive games. To doubt this generation? I find that unfair" (8) (17).

Group H: what it means for your team

Spain's win puts them top of Group H with four points from two matches, after they drew 0–0 with Cape Verde in their opener (2) (3) (8) (11) (14). Cape Verde themselves stunned Uruguay 2–2 in the early hours of Monday, Kevin Pina, Sidny Lopes Cabral, and Hélio Varela delivered another shock result for the island nation after Darwin Núñez and Federico Valverde had Uruguay fighting back (12) (14) (18). Manuel Ugarte, Nicolás de la Cruz, Maxi Araújo, Agustín Canobbio, Deroy Duarte, Mathias Oliveira, and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera all featured for Uruguay. Vozinha started for Cape Verde (14) (18).

Your team's only point so far came from the 1–1 draw with Uruguay in the opening match (12) (14) (18).

Cape Verde on June 27, a must-win

Saudi Arabia face Cape Verde in the final group match on June 27, kick-off at 02:00 (5). Cape Verde have four points and could already be dreaming of the knockout stage. You need three points to have any chance.

Fan reactions

The mood among Saudi supporters is grim. One fan pointed out a painful statistic: in five of Saudi Arabia's seven World Cup appearances since debuting in 1994, the team has suffered a group-stage beating of four goals or more. The Spain result adds another entry to that list. Another thread showed Yamal's highlights against Saudi Arabia, and the tone was resigned rather than defiant. See the discussion here.