SPAIN’s 2026 World Cup opener did not go how many expected.
The European champions were held to a 0-0 draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde, a side ranked 65 places below them in the Fifa world rankings.
So this is take two for Spain, can Luis de la Fuente’s side launch their World Cup bid in Atlanta?
Saudi Arabia might have something to say about that.
Spain swept to Euro 2024 glory by blending midfield control with more direct, vertical wing play, but that cut and thrust has proved elusive on the global stage in recent years. Their previous three World Cups have been undermined by ponderous, sterile possession and at times they fell into the same trap in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.
Spain’s last World Cup goal came in a 2-1 defeat by Japan in 2022. Since then, they have played nearly five hours of football at the tournament, completing exactly 2,500 passes and attempting 49 shots.
But it is too early to panic – and it is worth remembering that when they won the World Cup in 2010, they also failed to score in their opening game, a 1-0 defeat by Switzerland.
Saudi Arabia have lost 10 of their 11 World Cup matches against European opposition, but they will never forget the one time they were victorious.
Their 1-0 win against Belgium at USA 94 will forever be remembered for Saeed Al-Owairan’s incredible solo goal where he dribbled 69 metres from his own half and shook off several challenged before scoring.
Salem Al Dawsari was the hero four years ago when he scored the winner in Saudi Arabia’s historic 2-1 win against eventual champions Argentina in their World Cup 2022 opener.
The Saudi captain has scored three goals at World Cups – two more would make him the highest scoring player from an AFC member nation in World Cup history.
Former Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda currently leads the way with four goals.
Spain’s last two World Cup games have ended goalless, but they have never gone three matches without scoring in the competition.
Since scoring in the 11th minute against Japan on matchday three of the 2022 World Cup, the Spaniards have completed 2500 passes and taken 49 shots without scoring.
Lamine Yamal is the first player in history to start a match at both the Uefa European Championship and the Fifa World Cup while aged 18 or younger.
Spain are unbeaten across all competitions in the 21 matches they have played with Lamine Yamal in the starting XI (W15 D6).
Of the 60 goals scored by La Roja in those matches, Yamal has been involved in 16 (5 goals, 11 assists).
Let’s dive straight in to day 11 of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
ANALYSIS:
Lamine Yamal only came off the bench in the 71st minute of Span’s goalless draw with Cape Verde, but attempted more dribbles (five) than any player on the pitch.
Spain’s starting wingers, Gavi and Ferran Torres, attempted just three between them.
With Yamal back in the starting XI today, Spanish fans will be hoping their side look more dynamic and incisive in attack from the get-go.
Spain swept to Euro 2024 glory by blending midfield control with more direct, vertical wing play, but that cut and thrust has proved elusive on the global stage in recent years. Their previous three World Cups have been undermined by ponderous, sterile possession and at times they fell into the same trap in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.
Spain’s last World Cup goal came in a 2-1 defeat by Japan in 2022. Since then, they have played nearly five hours of football at the tournament, completing exactly 2,500 passes and attempting 49 shots.
But it is too early to panic and it is worth remembering that when they won the World Cup in 2010, they also failed to score in their opening game, a 1-0 defeat by Switzerland.
Lamine Yamal will bring something different. I expect him to be the right winger and get the ball, make runs. It’s not only what he can create, he will attract more defenders and create more spaces for the midfielders, strikers and even the right-back Porro will have some space to put some quality crosses in.
I expect a lot of the game from Spain to come from the right side.
The Saudi Arabia goalkeeper made some fantastic saves [against Uruguay] but the worrying thing for me is the amount of saves he had to make.
Saudi Arabia sat in a low block but didn’t get to the ball. They weren’t blocking shots or making it difficult for Uruguay to get shots off. They rode their luck at times and the goalkeeper made some unbelievable saves.
Against Spain, who will dominate the ball and have penalty box entries, they have to defend better and get to the ball better, not rely on the goalkeeper so much. There is only so many times you can have games like that as a goalkeeper.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: Spain are expected to finally translate possession dominance into end product, largely through the reintroduction of Lamine Yamal from the start. His impact off the bench against Cape Verde—where he attempted more dribbles than any other player despite limited minutes—underlines how decisive he can be in breaking low defensive blocks.
With Spain likely to funnel much of their play down the right, Yamal’s direct running should stretch Saudi Arabia’s defensive shape and force their back line into constant recovery mode. This, in turn, creates space for full-back Pedro Porro to overlap and deliver crosses into the box.
Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper was heavily relied upon in their previous outing, producing several high-level saves, but that volume of pressure is unlikely to be sustainable. Spain’s ability to generate sustained penalty-box entries, combined with their midfield control, points toward a controlled 2–0 win.
Spain’s record of nearly 2,500 passes and sustained shot creation in recent tournaments suggests dominance is not the issue efficiency is. Yamal may be the missing link that fixes that imbalance.
My Prediction: Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia
Peter’s Prediction: Spain’s tactical identity has oscillated between sterile possession and more direct attacking football. Their Euro 2024 success was built on a blend of midfield control and vertical wing play, and this match is projected to reflect a return to that formula.
Uruguay may briefly trouble Spain, but the decisive factor will be Spain’s ability to accelerate attacks through wide zones rather than overplaying centrally. Yamal’s presence ensures quicker transitions, while Spain’s midfield will benefit from the extra defensive attention he draws.
Uruguay’s defensive structure is likely to be tested repeatedly, especially as Spain increase penetration from both the right and central channels. Even if Uruguay manage a goal, Spain’s sustained attacking volume should overwhelm them.
Given Spain’s historical tendency to respond strongly after slow tournament starts—recalling their 2010 World Cup opening defeat before winning the trophy—this profile fits a confident rebound performance.
My Prediction: Spain 3–1 Saudi Arabia
Gbenga’s Prediction: Spain’s relentless attacking patterns suggest another scenario where they win, but only after sustained resistance. Saudi Arabia’s previous match showed a clear reliance on their goalkeeper, who faced a high volume of saves due to inadequate pressure on the ball from his defence.
Against Spain, that problem intensifies. Spain’s midfield dominance ensures constant territorial control, while Yamal’s dribbling adds unpredictability on the flank. Over time, this forces repeated one-on-one situations and second-phase attacks inside the box.
Saudi Arabia may again find themselves temporarily competitive, especially if they defend deep and counter efficiently. However, Spain’s cumulative pressure—rather than early breakthroughs—should eventually decide the game.
The key factor is sustainability: no goalkeeper can repeatedly withstand that level of shot volume across 90 minutes. Spain’s superiority in possession cycles and attacking depth makes a late 2–1 victory the most realistic outcome in this scenario.
My Prediction: Spain 3–0 Saudi Arabia
Gloria’s Prediction: This fixture projects a more frustrating scenario for Spain if their attacking structure fails to become more decisive. Their goalless draw with Cape Verde already highlighted a recurring issue: excessive possession without cutting edge.
Despite completing thousands of passes and generating shots in previous tournaments, Spain have struggled to convert dominance into goals. If Yamal is neutralised or isolated, Spain may once again revert to predictable circulation in front of a compact defensive block.
Cape Verde’s disciplined shape could replicate the low-block approach seen in Saudi Arabia’s earlier match, where opponents relied heavily on goalkeeper heroics and reactive defending. However, against Spain, that structure could be even more effective if Spain’s right-side overload lacks variation.
While Spain would still control territory and possession, the final third inefficiency could force a draw, especially if early chances are missed and frustration builds.
My Prediction: Spain 2–2 Saudi Arabia