From Cape Verde disappointment to Saudi four-goal haul.. Spain responds fiercely
World Cup 2026 – Group H: Spain strikes hard.. Four goals in Saudi net restore La Roja’s pride after falling into Cape Verde draw trap
Spain needed more than just a win – they needed a performance to prove they remain one of the forces capable of going far in the 2026 World Cup, after settling for a single point in the opening round against Cape Verde.
The response was perfect.. La Roja needed just 24 minutes to take a 3-0 lead. Those goals allowed them to play most of the match without pressure.
This came in the second round of the group stage, on a night when “La Roja” imposed their rhythm from the opening whistle to the final one, securing three valuable points and moving closer to sealing qualification to the knockout stages.
But what happened was not just a big win. It was a clear reminder of the possibility of the return of the fierce version of the Spanish national team, crowned champions in 2010.
First half signed by De la Fuente
From the first minutes, Spain’s intentions were clear.
High pressure, attacking possession, constant movement between the lines, and great speed in circulating the ball. Elements that the Spanish team lacked in previous periods, but they were fully present against Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi team appeared unable to match Spain’s pace, with spaces widening and pressure increasing on the backline, allowing La Roja to impose near-total control over the match.
As time passed, Spanish superiority turned into goals, while Saudi Arabia spent more time chasing the ball than threatening the Spanish goal.
When Spain’s identity returns
Beyond the result, what pleased the coaching staff most was the way the team achieved the victory.
Spain played with confidence, attacked in numbers, and regained one of their most important historical weapons: the ability to control the game through possession, then strike the opponent at the right moment.
The technical difference was not the only decisive factor, but also the physical and organizational superiority that allowed the Spaniards to maintain a high tempo throughout the match.
De la Fuente: This is what we were looking for
In the press conference, Luis de la Fuente did not hide his complete satisfaction with the performance.
The Spanish coach considered that his team delivered what he had been waiting for since the start of the tournament, pointing out that high pressure and speed in moving the ball were the keys to controlling the match.
He stressed that the criticism that followed the first match against Cape Verde did not affect the players negatively, but rather pushed them to show a strong reaction on the pitch.
The Spanish coach said the team had regained its true identity, especially in the first half, which he described as one of the best halves the team has played in recent times.
Yamal.. a tactical substitution, nothing more
Among the most debated topics was the decision to substitute Lamine Yamal at the end of the first half.
De la Fuente clarified that the decision was pre-planned based on purely technical vision, stressing that the young Barcelona star is fully fit and does not suffer from any physical problems.
He added that the goal was to maintain the player’s vitality and give him more motivation for the upcoming matches, something that Yamal understood naturally.
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Spain vs Saudi Arabia match.. a historic night for La Roja
The victory over Saudi Arabia brought with it gains beyond the three points.
Thanks to this four-goal haul, Spain raised its tally to five World Cup wins by a margin of four or more goals, tying with Argentina and the Netherlands for fourth place on the all-time list of teams with big victories.
Only Germany (12 wins), Brazil (8), and Hungary (7) surpass “La Roja” in this ranking.
Numbers that reflect the attacking identity Spain has maintained across different generations, confirming that the team still has the ability to produce big nights in major tournaments.
The real test is coming… a test of confirmation
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, De la Fuente knows the job is not done yet.
The Spanish team is now preparing to face Uruguay in a match that may determine the group leader, a match the Spanish coach expects to be completely different in terms of difficulty and tactical approach.
But if there is one conclusion Spain took from the Saudi night, it is that La Roja has begun to restore the image the world knows well.
An image of a team that does not settle for winning… but seeks to impose the dominance of the giants.
La Roja had fallen into the trap of a goalless draw against Cape Verde in the first round, while Saudi Arabia drew with Uruguay 1-1, with Uruguay and Cape Verde meeting later in the early hours of the morning (Beirut time) in the second round of Group G matches.
Group H standings
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 4 |
 Saudi Arabia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
 Uruguay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 Cape Verde | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
