Spain Thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0
- Ronan Briscoe
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Credit Sky Sports
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Sunday in Atlanta, two teams entered Mercedes Benz Stadium with entirely different mindsets.
For Spain, they returned to the scene of a massive upset, where the odds-on tournament favorites failed to score against Cape Verde, earning only a 0-0 draw. Saudi Arabia on the other hand, had the perception of punching above their weight in earning a very hard fought 1-1 draw with Uruguay in Miami.
The Saudis were out to prove that the Spanish were ripe for the picking, and Spain was out to prove their mettle and re-establish themselves among the favorites to lift the sport's most famous trophy.
On Sunday, only the Spanish were able to accomplish their goals, handing out a very convincing 4-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia, placing Spain atop Group H heading into the third and final matchday.
The scoring began early, as Lamine Yamal, back in the starting lineup, tapped home a great low cross from Mikel Oyarzabal to open the scoring in the 10th minute. From there, it was Oyarzabal's turn, as the Real Sociedad striker found the back of the net twice in quick succession in the 21st and 24th minute. Spain would take their 3-0 advantage into the halftime interval, and return to make one final statement, creating an own goal put in by Hassan Al Tambakti in the 49th minute to stretch the lead to four.
From there, it was cruise control. Saudi Arabia managed just three shots in total, compared with Spain's 22 shots and eight on target. The Spanish also took 37 touches in the Saudi box compared to Saudi Arabia's two. One of Saudi Arabia's three shots was a very hopeful 70-yard bomb by Abdulelah Al Amri that fell comfortably wide.
Domination would be putting it lightly. It was as if the Spanish penalty area contained an invisible forcefield that did not allow the ball to enter. Whatever demons Spain entered this game with from the Cape Verde upset were exorcised against Saudi Arabia.
Spain cemented themselves at the top of the group, a full two points clear of Cape Verde and Uruguay in second and third, meaning that a single point in their final game will give Spain the top spot in Group H.
For Saudi Arabia, this was about as bad as bad could get, but it's far from over. The point they earned against Uruguay in Miami could prove crucial as a win could push them as high as second. However, to advance to the knockout stage, they will have to accomplish what no one has to this point in the World Cup. Defeat Cape Verde.
That game will be on Friday, June 26th at 8PM Eastern in Houston, while Spain takes on Uruguay in Guadalajara at the same time.
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