Spain Crushes Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Yamal Scores in First World Cup Start

Q: Analytics predict a shock New Zealand win. Can Mohamed Salah's Egypt defy the data and avoid a devastating early exit?

Yes — Egypt can defy that projection, but only if it turns a decent opening display into a more clinical one against New Zealand. The data is mixed. One model from Leuven’s DTAI Analytics Lab projects a 2-1 New Zealand win, even though its broader group numbers still rate Egypt more likely to advance than New Zealand, 67% to 41%. Other forecasts point the other way, with some analysts backing Egypt to win because of its higher ranking, stronger attacking talent and encouraging 1-1 draw with Belgium, a match in which Egypt led at halftime for the first time in World Cup history. That opening game is the strongest evidence Egypt should not be written off. Mohamed Salah assisted Emam Ashour’s goal and Egypt troubled a far stronger Belgium side for long stretches before conceding an own-goal equalizer. Coach Hossam Hassan has also stressed that Egypt is not relying on Salah alone, but on a collective structure. The danger is clear, though. New Zealand arrives with momentum after a 2-2 draw with Iran, and Elijah Just’s two goals have made him one of the breakout players of the tournament. A win would put the All Whites close to a first-ever knockout appearance. Their belief is real, and Egypt’s margin for error is small. For Egypt, the route to survival is straightforward: get Salah and Omar Marmoush into better attacking positions, punish New Zealand’s shaky defense, and avoid an open game. If Egypt is efficient in the final third, it has enough quality to avoid an early exit.

Q: Reigning Euro champs Spain failed to score. Is teen phenom Lamine Yamal the key to unlocking their attack against Saudi Arabia?

Yes — if he is fit enough for major minutes, Lamine Yamal looks like Spain’s best tool to spark the attack against Saudi Arabia, but he is not the only answer. Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde exposed a familiar problem: plenty of control, not enough cutting edge. They created chances but lacked width, directness and one-on-one threat. That is exactly where Yamal changes the picture. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger is widely seen as Spain’s X-factor, and his recent club output — 24 goals and 17 assists in 45 games, according to the additional reporting — underlines why. There is also evidence from the opener that his presence matters immediately. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Yamal changed Cape Verde’s defensive behavior when he came on late, and Spain looked more dangerous with his dribbling and vertical play. That supports the idea that he can help unlock a compact Saudi side that will likely defend deep and look for counters. The caution is fitness. Yamal has been managing a hamstring issue, and Spain has little reason to take unnecessary risks this early, especially against an opponent they are still heavily favored to beat. Spain’s depth — with Pedri, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Gavi and others — should still be enough to create openings. So Yamal is probably the clearest attacking catalyst, not because Spain cannot beat Saudi Arabia without him, but because he gives them the most natural solution to the exact problems seen against Cape Verde.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 21

Atlanta saw Spain rout Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal scoring after 10 minutes and Mikel Oyarzabal adding a first-half brace before Hassan Al-Tambakti's own goal made it four.
A 3-0 halftime lead effectively settled the match, allowing coach Luis de la Fuente to withdraw Yamal and Oyarzabal at the break and manage minutes ahead of Spain's final group game against Uruguay.
Yamal's return from injury gave Spain a sharper edge after their scoreless draw with Cape Verde, while Oyarzabal's two goals underlined the attacking fluency that had been missing in their opener.
The win leaves Spain looking far more like the Euro 2024 champions and sets up a tougher group-stage test against Uruguay.