Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia: Spain wins
Spain begins its 2026 World Cup campaign against formidable opponent Saudi Arabia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a pivotal match of the group stage.
- 0'The match has started.
Spain hosts Saudi Arabia.
- 10'GOAL! Spain (1-0)
10th minute:Lamine Yamal(Spain) scored (assist: M. Oyarzabal). Score: 1 - 0.
- 21'GOAL! Spain (2-0)
21st minute:M. Oyarzabal(Spain) scored (assist: A. Laporte). Score: 2 - 0.
- 24'GOAL! Spain (3-0)
24th minute:M. Oyarzabal(Spain) scored (assist: D. Olmo). Score: 3 - 0.
- 30 minutesYellow card
30th minute: S. Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) receives a yellow card (Roughing).
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Spain): Lamine Yamal comes on as a substitute for Y. Pino.
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Spain): M. Oyarzabal comes on to replace F. Torres.
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Saudi Arabia): A. Al Khaibari comes on to replace M. Kanno.
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Saudi Arabia): M. Al Juwayr comes on to replace A. Al Hamdan.
- 49'GOAL! Saudi Arabia (3-1)
49th minute:H. Tambakti(Spain) scored an own goal. The score is 3-1.
- 60'Yellow card
60th minute: M. Kanno (Saudi Arabia) receives a yellow card (Elbowing).
- 60'Substitution
60th minute (Saudi Arabia): A. Al Amri comes on to replace A. Hejji.
- 60'Substitution
60th minute (Saudi Arabia): F. Al Buraikan comes on to replace M. Abu Al Shamat.
- 61'Substitution
61st minute (Spain): D. Olmo comes on to replace M. Merino.
- 61'Substitution
61st minute (Spain): A. Baena comes on to replace N. Williams.
- 70'Substitution
70th minute (Spain): Pedri comes on to replace F. Ruiz.
- 90'Substitution
90th minute (Saudi Arabia): N. Al Dawsari comes on to replace K. Al Ghannam.
- 90+2'VAR
90+2nd minute: Goal Disallowed - offside — F. Torres (Spain).
- KTFinal score: Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
The match ended with a score of 4-0.
Updated at 01:05 on June 22, 2026
At 11:00 PM on June 21, 2026, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the center of attention as the Spanish national team faces Saudi Arabia in a World Cup group stage match. This opening game is of particular importance to both teams as they strive to gain an early advantage at the biggest football event on the planet.
The context of the match and the current situation.
Spain entered the tournament as one of the top contenders for the title. Under their current coaching staff, "La Roja" maintained their possession-based style of football but added more directness and speed on the flanks. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is no stranger to the World Cup arena. The West Asian representative possesses a generation of cohesive, technically gifted players who are particularly dangerous in quick counter-attacks.
Analyzing form and strength
Since this is the opening match of the campaign, neither team has official match data from the tournament. However, based on squad strength and tradition, Spain is still considered slightly superior. Statistics from previous tournaments show that the European representative always knows how to impose their playing style from the very first minutes.
- Spain:The Spanish team possesses a very strong midfield with the ability to circulate the ball smoothly. Their goal is undoubtedly to secure all three points to quickly determine their qualification for the next round.
- Saudi Arabia:The Gulf team typically plays with great discipline and is not afraid to clash with big opponents. The confidence gained from past successes will be a solid morale boost for them at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Team situation and tactical predictions
In terms of personnel, both Spain and Saudi Arabia have their strongest squads available, with no injuries or suspensions reported. This allows both coaches to deploy their best players for their respective tactical formations.
Spain is expected to take the initiative, controlling possession and pushing their opponents deep into their own half. Conversely, Saudi Arabia may set up a low defensive line, focusing on mass defense and waiting for openings to launch long passes over the top. The concentration of the Saudi Arabian defense will be key in determining whether they can withstand the waves of attacks from Spain.
Assessing the results
Experts predict this will be a tight match with few goals. The odds show a surprising balance, with Spain having a 35% chance of winning, a 35% chance of a draw, and Saudi Arabia a 30% chance. This reflects the cautious approach from both sides in their opening match.
The most likely scenario is that Spain will completely control the game but struggle to break through their opponent's layered defense. A minimal win or a draw could satisfy both teams on opening day.
Forecast:Spain wins or draws; the match has fewer than 2.5 goals.
Team lineup updated at 22:27 on June 21, 2026
Official lineup
Spain
Diagram: 4-2-3-1
CoachLuis de la Fuente
Starting lineup:
- 23. Unai Simón (G)
- 12. Pedro Porro (D)
- 22. Pau Cubarsí (D)
- 14. Aymeric Laporte (D)
- 24. Marc Cucurella (D)
- 20. Pedri (M)
- 16. Rodri (M)
- 19. Lamine Yamal (M)
- 10. Dani Olmo (M)
- 15. Alex Baena (M)
- 21. Mikel Oyarzabal (F)
Substitutes:
- 1. David Raya
- 13. Joan García
- 2. Marc Pubill
- 4. Eric García
- 5. Marcos Llorente
- 3. Alejandro Grimaldo
- 6. Mikel Merino
- 8. Fabián Ruiz
- 9. Pablo Gavi
- 18. Martín Zubimendi
- 17. Nico Williams
- 7. Ferran Torres
- 11. Jeremy Pino
- 25. Víctor Muñoz
- 26. Borja Iglesias
Saudi Arabia
Diagram: 5-3-2
CoachGeorges Donis
Starting lineup:
- 21. Mohammed Al-Owais (G)
- 12. Saud Abdulhamid (D)
- 5. Hassan Altambakti (D)
- 3. Ali Lajami (D)
- 4. Abdulelah Al-Amri (D)
- 24. Moteb Al-Harbi (D)
- 6. Nasser Al-Dawsari (M)
- 15. Abdullah Al-Khaibari (M)
- 7. Musab Al Juwayr (M)
- 9. Firas Al-Buraikan (F)
- 10. Salem Al-Dawsari (F)
Substitutes:
- 1. Nawaf Al-Aqidi
- 22. Ahmed Al-Kassar
- 2. Ali Majrashi
- 13. Nawaf Boushal
- 14. Hassan Kadesh
- 25. Jehad Thakri
- 26. Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat
- 16. Ziyad Aljohani
- 18. Ala'a Al-Hejji
- 23. Mohamed Kanno
- 8. Ayman Yahya
- 11. Saleh Al-Shehri
- 17. Khalid Al-Ghannam
- 19. Abdullah Al-Hamdan
- 20. Sultan Mandash
