The 2026 World Cup continues with Spain looking to get its tournament up and running against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.
La Roja was held to a shock scoreless draw by Cabo Verde in its opening match, while Saudi Arabia fought to an admirable 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
Then, we head to Los Angeles for Belgium vs Iran, before Uruguay and Cabo Verde face off in Miami, and New Zealand and Egypt lock horns in Vancouver.
Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian timesABC Sport podcast: Check out the latest episode hereMon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:29am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:29am
Live score: Spain vs Saudi ArabiaMon 22 Jun 2026 at 4:04am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 4:04amMon 22 Jun 2026 at 4:04am
FT: Spain 4 – 0 Saudi Arabia
(Getty Images)
It’s an assured, dominant display from Spain, and a much-needed response after that disappointing draw with Cabo Verde.
La Roja was a class above the Green Falcons all afternoon in Atlanta, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal combining to wreak absolute havoc before half time.
Yamal opened the scoring before Oyarzabal netted a quickfire double before the first hydration break.
The pair didn’t return for the second half, and Spain was slightly subdued in their absence, with a Hassan Al-Tambakti own goal the only addition to the scorecard after the break.
A big step forward for Spain, who are now all-but guaranteed of a berth in the knockout stages.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:56am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:56am
Spain has a fifth goal ruled out for offside
Pedro Porro, so lively all afternoon down the right, works in a lovely ball across the six yard box and Ferran Torres is on hand for a tap in.
The offside flag stays down, but it looks very, very tight.
(Getty Images)
We wait on the verdict of a VAR review.
It’s a really long break in play.
The replays, to me anyway, suggest Torres had just strayed.
And yep, after what felt like about half an hour, the referee confirms that the goal won’t stand.
It remains 4-0.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:55am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:55am
90′ We’re into six minutes of stoppage time
Okay, not long left now.
Spain minutes away from a very convincing victory.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:54am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:54am
86′ A nasty head clash
There’s a break in play as Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Kanno and Ala Al-Hajji both receive treatment.
The pair clashed heads as they both rose for a header.
It looked to be a really painful one, and Kanno has to change a slightly bloodstained shirt.
Thankfully, both players are right to continue.
Meanwhile, the Green Falcons make the final chance of the game, with Khalid Al-Ghannam coming on for Nasser Al-Dawsari.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:47am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:47am
81′ A promising passage of play for Saudi Arabia
This is a good little spell for the Green Falcons, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan testing Unai Simon from the edge of the penalty area.
It’s easily saved by the Spanish ‘keeper, who falls on the shot and gathers cleanly.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:44am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:44am
79′ Spain remains in control
Plenty of possession for Spain at the moment, without any major attacking intent.
La Roja hasn’t had a shot since the 56th minute of the game.
Saudi Arabia has a rare chance to break down the left, but the move is snuffed out quickly by the Spanish defence.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:36am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:36am
71′ We’re back from the hydration break
(Getty Images)
And we’re greeted by a rousing rendition of John Denver’s Country Roads, Take Me Home from the Atlanta crowd.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente turns to his bench for the final time today, with Fabian Ruiz coming on for Pedri in midfield.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:34am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:34am
68′ We’ve reached the final break in Atlanta
That flurry of substitutions has taken a little of the zip out of this one, with Spain more than happy to knock the ball around midfield and Saudi Arabia camped deep within its own half.
Spanish livewire Nico Williams, who has just entered the game from the substitute’s bench, will be eager to impress in the game’s final stanza.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:29am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:29am
60′ A yellow card and a flurry of substitutions
Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Kanno has his name taken for a flailing arm on Yeremy Pino, as both managers turn to their substitutes bench.
Dani Olmo, who was very impressive through the middle in his first start of the campaign, makes way, as does Alex Baena.
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams join the fray.
For those of you unfamiliar with Williams’s work, get yourselves ready. This man is an excitement machine from wide.
And there’s a couple changes for the Green Falcons, with Ala Al-Hajji and Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat both coming on for the final half hour.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:19am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:19am
52′ Spain is through again!
Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí plays a beautiful, defence splitting pass and Pedro Porro is set free down the right.
The right back is one-on-one with Mohammed Al-Owais, and the Saudi ‘keeper does well to get down and make the save.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:16am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:16am
Spain goes 4-0 up!
(Getty Images)
And it doesn’t take long for Spain to get on the board in the second period.
It’s far from the prettiest goal we’ve seen from the European champions, with the ball being bundled into his own net by Saudi defender Hassan Al-Tambakti.
(Getty Images)
Marc Cucarella, all alone at the back post, had fired in a solid volley from a corner, the shot had been saved, but the ball cannoned off the helpless Al-Tambakti and into the net.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:11am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:11am
Goalscorers off as second half gets underway
In disappointing news for the neutral, goalscorers Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal don’t return for the second half.
Yeremy Pino and Ferran Torress take their places.
With the match all but won, it’s an undoubtedly smart move from Spain manager Luis de la Fuente.
But I reckon Oyarzabal might be a little miffed at being denied the opportunity to complete his hat-trick.
A couple changes for Saudi Arabia, as well.
Mohamed Kanno and Abdullah Al-Hamdan join the fray, with Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdullah Al-Khaibari making way.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:01am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 3:01am
HT stats
As dominant as a showing as we’ve seen at the tournament from Spain in that first half.
I doubt you’ll be surprised to hear La Roja is bossing the halftime stats.
Expected goals: ESP 1.87 – 0.04 KSAShots: ESP 17 – 2 KSAShots on target: ESP 5 – 0 KSAAccurate passes: ESP 343 – 111 KSAPossession: ESP 71% – 29% KSAMon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:58am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:58am
Oyarzabal hat-trick hunting in Atlanta
Oyarzabal no doubt going hunting for a hat-trick. Saudi defence melting when close in the box – something I’d thought they would’ve planned for. This could get ugly.
– Big Ben
Morning, Big Ben! Great to have you with us again.
Yep, Mikel Oyarzabal will certainly never have a better opportunity to notch a World Cup treble.
After a quiet night against Cabo Verde, the Real Sociedad has been at his probing, pestering best so far today.
This could very well get ugly.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:54am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:54am
HT: Spain 3 – 0 Saudi Arabia
(Getty Images)
Well, fair to say that was pretty impressive stuff from La Roja.
Spain provides surely the most complete half of the tournament thus far, with the European champions bouncing back from that shock scoreless draw with Cabo Verde in the most emphatic of fashions.
It was teen sensation Lamine Yamal who opened the scoring on his World Cup starting debut, the superstar ghosting into the penalty area and sliding home at the back post.
Then it was Mikel Oyarzabal, who struck and then struck once more to put his side 3-0 up before quarter time.
Since then, the Green Falcons have done well to stem the bleeding, with Spain continuing to dominate possession and territory, but being unable to add to its tally.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:48am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:48am
45′ We’re into five minutes of stoppage time
Rodri has a chance from the edge of the penalty area, with the ball pulled back enticingly for the Manchester City man.
However, he can’t keep his effort down and the ball flies well over the bar.
We’re into five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:44am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:44am
42′ Another chance for Oyarzabal!
Mikel Oyarzabal has another opportunity to complete his hat-trick, with the ball bobbling up on the edge of the penalty area.
However, the Real Sociedad forward snatches at the chance and the ball fizzes well wide of the far post.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:43am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:43am
41′ Space in attack for the Saudis!
The Green Falcons have a rare raid forward, with Saud Abdulhamid being played in on the right.
He has time and space and an opportunity to work in a telling ball – but his cross is deflected and dealt with by the Spanish defence.
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:39am
Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 2:39am
35′ Oyarzabal so close to a hat-trick
It’s exhibition stuff from Sapin at the moment.
La Roja is playing some beautiful stuff through midfield, but the latest chance comes from a Saudi mistake.
Saudi goalkeeper
Mohammed Al-Owais kicks the ball directly to Mikel Oyarzabal, who tries to dink the ball into the net from the left edge of the penalty area.
It’s an audacious, deft effort, and one that almost earns Oyarzabal his hat-trick, with the ball falling onto the crossbar and bouncing out of play.
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