The Spanish team shows a strong performance and leads the score 3-0 over Saudi Arabia, with the match still in the first half, at 36 minutes. The clash, valid for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, takes place in Atlanta and has been marked by intense offensive pressure from the European team, which found the opponent’s net on three occasions.
Raphael Claus makes his debut as head referee at the 2026 World Cup
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus takes charge of his first match in this edition of the FIFA World Cup, working alongside a team of assistants also from Brazil. The national referee trio is ahead of this important group stage duel, ensuring impartiality and compliance with the rules on the field.
Follow the crucial moments: minute by minute of the match between Spain and Saudi Arabia
Stay up to date with all the highlights of the football match with live minute-by-minute coverage from the Mix Vale news portal! Follow the main plays, goals and decisive moments of this important game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in real time. To not miss any updates, subscribe to Mix Vale notifications for free and receive news instantly, directly on your device. Don’t miss any details of the teams’ performance.
🚨 Oyarzabal brace. What a great performance…
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) June 21, 2026
🇪🇸 Spain 3-0 Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
pic.twitter.com/dSDCv67uox
- 35′ 1Q – Oyarzabal almost extends the score:In a moment of inattention from the Saudi defense, goalkeeper Al-Owais prevents the ball from being released on the baseline, but delivers it directly to the feet of Oyarzabal, who shoots hard and hits the crossbar. The Spanish striker was very close to scoring his third goal.
- 34′ 1T – Al-Amri risks an unlikely shot:Saudi Arabian defender Al-Amri tries to surprise goalkeeper Unai Simón with a long-range shot from his own defensive area. The ball, however, arrives with little force and is easily controlled.
- 33′ 1T – Saudi Arabia is suffocated by the Spanish attack:The Saudi team adopts an extremely defensive posture, with 11 players retreating behind the ball line. This strategy makes any counterattack attempt difficult and keeps the team under constant pressure.
- 29′ 1T – Salem Al-Dawsari receives a yellow card:Striker Salem Al-Dawsari is warned with a yellow card after committing a foul on Porro, in Spain’s defense field.
- 29′ 1Q – Yamal’s shot goes very wrong:Lamine Yamal receives the ball at the edge of the area, tries to move it to his left foot in search of a good angle, but finishes inaccurately, sending the ball far from the goal.
- 27′ 1Q – Match restarts after stoppage:The game resumes after a mandatory break for athletes to hydrate, a standard procedure in games under high temperatures.
- 24′ 1T – Break for players to hydrate:A brief break is given to players for hydration, complying with the health and well-being protocol on the field.
- 22′ 1Q – Oyarzabal’s goal: Spain 3-0!The Spanish team increases its advantage in a true massacre. After a cross from Porro, Cucurella picks up the ball on the other side of the area and returns it to number 21, Oyarzabal, who doesn’t forgive and scores his second goal of the match, Spain’s third.
- 20′ 1Q – Oyarzabal scores the second Spanish goal: Spain 2-0!In a move originating from a corner, the Saudi Arabian defense makes a poor cut, and Dani Olmo kicks a cross. Abdulhamid fails to intercept the ball, and Spain’s number 21 takes the opportunity to send it into the back of the net.
- 18′ 1T – Oyarzabal misses a goal chance:Striker Oyarzabal receives the ball inside the box, but goalkeeper Al-Owais comes out quickly to close the angle, forcing a shot that ends up going wrong.
- 16′ 1T – Spain dominates the midfield with Oyarzabal:Oyarzabal takes a shot from outside the box, and goalkeeper Al-Owais makes a good save, highlighting Spain’s continued offensive dominance in the match.
- 14′ 1T – Spanish bombing continues in Atlanta:Baena receives the ball on the left wing, pulls it towards the middle and tries a shot, which goes over the goal again, without offering any direct danger.
- 12′ 1T – Intense pressure from Spain in attack:Lamine Yamal tries to pass the ball to Baena, but goalkeeper Al-Owais manages to clear the danger. On the rebound, Pedri finishes unbalanced, sending the ball over the goal.
- 09′ 1Q – Lamine Yamal scores the first goal: Spain 1-0!Young Spanish star Lamine Yamal, just 18 years old, celebrates his first goal in a World Cup. Oyarzabal crosses low, and the number 19 appears at the second post like an arrow to push the ball into the net, opening the score for Spain.
- 08′ 1T – Dani Olmo finishes without a goal:After taking a corner to the edge of the area, Dani Olmo takes the first shot, but the ball goes too high, losing track of the goal.
- 06′ 1Q – First attack attempt by Saudi Arabia:The Saudi team tries to build a counterattack on the left, looking for Salem in the opponent’s area. However, Unai Simón manages to keep the ball with ease.
- 05′ 1Q – Spain maintains possession of the ball in the attacking field:Porro advances along the baseline and crosses into the area, but Lajami makes the cut once again, preventing the Spanish offensive progression.
- 03′ 1T – Yamal risks a shot from outside the area:Lamine Yamal tries a long-range shot, but the ball goes over the goal, demonstrating Spain’s initial offensive intensity.
- 03′ 1Q – Yamal’s new move on the right:Yamal crosses into the area, Baena slides back, but goalkeeper Al-Aqidi comes out to defend the Spanish attack.
- 01′ 1T – Baena has a shot blocked in the area:Baena receives a throw in the area, pulls it into the middle and finishes, but Lajami manages to stop the shot, preventing the first clear danger of the match.
- 00′ 1Q – Lamine Yamal already shows talent on the field:The 18-year-old star, Lamine Yamal, starts the match with great intensity. He gets rid of three markers and crosses into the area, but the Saudi defense clears it. The fans are already excited about the young talent’s performance.
- 00′ 1Q – Start of the match in Atlanta:The ball starts rolling in the clash between Spain and Saudi Arabia, marking the kickoff to the emotions of the group stage of the World Cup.
Final preparations before kickoff in Atlanta
The national anthems were performed solemnly, and now the teams take their positions on the field. Everything is ready for the kickoff of this important match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Teams enter the pitch for the decisive clash
Players from Spain and Saudi Arabia make their entrance onto the stadium lawn in Atlanta. Expectations are high for the start of the game, which promises strong emotions for the group stage of the World Cup.
The use of stroboscopic glasses by Saudi Arabian goalkeepers in training
During the preparation phase for the World Cup, Saudi Arabian goalkeepers drew attention when they used stroboscopic glasses in training. This technological equipment has the function of improving performance, limiting part of the visual information received by athletes, which helps to improve concentration, reaction speed and decision-making on the field. It is an innovative approach in the search for excellence in competition.
Lamine Yamal shines in training with a great free kick
A video released shows striker Lamine Yamal, one of the Spanish team’s great promises, scoring an impressive free kick during one of the team’s training sessions. The move highlights the skill of the young player, who is already demonstrating his potential before the official clash.
Vozinha, the goalkeeper who became the “Spanish terror”
Goalkeeper Vozinha, who had an outstanding and decisive performance against Spain in the opening round of the World Cup, gained worldwide recognition for his performance. His brilliant defense resulted in a special report by Esporte Espetacular in his home, in Cape Verde, highlighting the impact of his heroic performance.
De la Fuente compares Lamine Yamal to great geniuses
The coach of the Spanish national team, De la Fuente, avoided direct comparisons of Lamine Yamal with football icons such as Messi and Maradona. Instead, he used the analogy with artistic geniuses to illustrate the striker’s unique ability to differentiate himself on the pitch, stating that “geniuses are capable of doing it, and it is these people who feel comfortable in this extreme situation. Why? Because they are different.”
Saudi fan jokes about World Cup history
An Arab fan was spotted with a humorous sign outside the stadium, which said: “If you want to be world champion, lose to Saudi Arabia. Ask Argentina…”. The message references Saudi Arabia’s surprising victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, before Lionel Messi’s team recovered to win the world title.
Religious reasons prevent the Saudi Arabian flag from touching the lawn
A particularity observed in the 2026 World Cup is that the Saudi Arabian flag is not positioned on the pitch during the playing of the national anthem, unlike the flags of other teams. This protocol is adopted for religious reasons and deep cultural respect, preventing the national symbol from touching the ground, in accordance with local beliefs.
Ferran Torres in inefficiency ranking in the current World Cup
Striker Ferran Torres, from Spain, is among the players with high inefficiency in this World Cup, occupying a position in the top-5. After unsuccessfully finishing four times in his debut against Cape Verde, he joins Enner Valencia at the top of the list of athletes who miss the most scoring chances in the competition.
Lamine Yamal’s arrival at the stadium for the game in Atlanta
Lamine Yamal, considered one of the World Cup’s rising stars, was recorded arriving at the stadium in Atlanta. The young player demonstrated calmness before his participation in the match against Saudi Arabia, where he has already left his mark.
Details of the referee team assigned to the match
The refereeing team responsible for conducting this game is made up of experienced professionals:
- Main referee:Raphael Claus (BRA)
- Assistant 1:Danilo Manis (BRA)
- Assistant 2:Rodrigo Figueiredo (BRA)
- Video referee (VAR):Nicolas (COL)
