Spain rout Saudi Arabia 4–0 and the group is back under control

Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia, and now it's simple

Your team are exactly where they need to be. Spain demolished Saudi Arabia 4–0 in the second Group H match, and suddenly the Cape Verde draw feels distant (2) (3) (4). Lamine Yamal scored on his return from the bench. Rodri played the full 90. Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino all got on the scoresheet in what became a rout (3) (4). Nico Williams and Unai Simón started too (3). Four goals, a clean sheet, and the group back under control.

Cape Verde 0–0 Spain, the opener that tightened everything

Cape Verde held Spain to a goalless draw in the Group H opener at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (1) (5) (12) (15). Luis de la Fuente left Lamine Yamal on the bench for that one, starting Rodri, Gavi, and Unai Simón instead. A frustrating night, but Cape Verde have since proven it was no fluke.

Cape Verde 2–2 Uruguay, and Araujo is out

Cape Verde did it again. A 2–2 draw against Uruguay leaves Darwin Núñez and company on the brink (1) (5) (8) (12) (15). Worse for Uruguay: Marcelo Bielsa confirmed Ronald Araujo is out for the Spain match, and Nicolás de la Cruz is a doubt (8) (9). "Soy el responsable," Bielsa said, taking the blame after his team gave up control (8) (9).

Enzo Fernández wants that midfield battle

Argentina's Enzo Fernández has been asked about Spain's midfield. His answer did not duck. "La cancha dirá si el mediocampo de España es mejor que el nuestro o no", the pitch will decide whose midfield is better (13). Argentina's manager added that Spain will be in the final fight (10). A potential knockout clash is brewing, and both sides know it.

Cucurella joins Real Madrid, then scores

Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid was confirmed hours before Spain's opening match. Four days later he scored in the 4–0 demolition of Saudi Arabia (4). No awkward transition period, just a left-back walking into a new club and a World Cup goal in the same week.