Spain back on track as Yamal scores in win over Saudi Arabia

Spain got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.

The European champions arrived in the United States as pre-tournament favourites, but those predictions had come under feverish scrutiny after being held 0-0 by the minnows of Cape Verde.

First-night concerns were washed away though as Spain struck three times in the first 24 minutes to take top spot in Group H.

Lamine Yamal, the 18-year Barcelona star who played the final 19 minutes of the Cape Verde draw after injury, marked his first World Cup start with the opener and Mikel Oyarzabal underlined his scoring ability with a quickfire double.

Hassan Al Tambakti added to Saudi Arabia’s misery with an unfortunate second-half own goal – the eighth of this World Cup – and the Green Falcons rarely threatened before Ferran Torres saw his stoppage-time effort ruled out for offside.