World Cup favourites Spain remain in confident mood going into their clash with Saudi Arabia despite an underwhelming start to their campaign.
La Roja did little to vindicate their status as the team most fancied to lift the trophy on July 19 as they were stunningly held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in their Group H opener.
Frustrated by an extremely well-organised Cape Verde defence and an impressive performance from goalkeeper Vozinha, Spain will hope for a much more incisive display against Saudi Arabia.
Yet Saudi Arabia have shown they are not be taken lightly.
The side that famously beat 2022 World Cup winners Argentina in their first match at that tournament were good value for their 1-1 draw against Uruguay, who required an 80th-minute equaliser to claim a share of the spoils.
However, Saudi Arabia will likely have to prepare for facing Lamine Yamal for a greater amount of time than the 19 minutes he played against Cape Verde.
Yamal is still working his way back to full fitness following a hamstring injury suffered while scoring a penalty for Barcelona in April.
The teenager is still not ready to play a full 90 minutes, though he is prepared to accept whatever role coach Luis de la Fuente allocates for him in a game viewed as must win for the reigning European champions.
“It’s very early, it’s unnecessary,” Yamal told RTVE. “It’s not the time to play a whole match, but I can play whatever minutes the coach wants.
“Obviously on Sunday we have to win because we are among the favourites and we have to win.
“We will go to achieve that victory, and of course, we will bring out our playing style and show who we are.
“Together we will overcome everything. I’m also sure that we will all be together on July 19.”
Yamal’s Barca team-mate Pau Cubarsi echoed his confidence.
“No, it hasn’t,” Cubarsi told reporters when asked if the surprising opening stalemate had affected Spain’s belief.
“We know the quality of our squad and staff. You always have to trust. We’re coming off years of great work. We know how football is, but we have to keep the same dynamic.
“We need to show more grit, move the ball faster… The same as before, but with more intensity. We know there are things we need to improve.
“We’re studying Saudi Arabia, but we have to focus on ourselves, because we’re the important ones. If we play with speed, it’ll be a great match.”
Team news for Spain v Saudi Arabia
Spain will be without new Liverpool forward Victor Munoz.
After missing the opener with a muscle injury, Munoz suffered a setback confirmed by the Spain medical team on Friday. No timetable has been given for his return.
Saudi Arabia have no new injury worries.
Predicted line-ups for Spain v Saudi Arabia
Spain: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Williams, Oyarzabal, Olmo.
Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Al Amri, Al Harbi; Al Shamat, Al-Khaibari, Kanno, S Al-Dawsari; Al Buraikan, Al-Juwayr.
Where to watch Spain v Saudi Arabia: TV and online streams
Spain v Saudi Arabia kicks off at 5:00pm UK time on Sunday. It will be broadcast on BBC One and will also be available to watch on the iPlayer and via the BBC Sport website.
Stats for Spain v Saudi Arabia
- Spain and Saudi Arabia have met three times before, with La Roja winning on each occasion.
- The only World Cup meeting between the two nations came in 2006, when Juanito scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Spain.
- Spain have scored just twice in their last four World Cup matches since a 7-0 win over Costa Rica in the opening game of the 2022 tournament.
- Three of Saudi Arabia’s last four World Cup games have seen both teams score.
- Saudi Arabia have lost all but one of their 11 World Cup matches against UEFA opponents. The lone exception being a 1-0 victory over Belgium on their debut appearance in 1994.
- Spain have won two of their five World Cup matches against AFC opponents (D2, L1). Their only defeat across 90 minutes came at the 2022 World Cup against Japan. They were eliminated by South Korea on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the quarter-finals in 2002.
Prediction for Spain v Saudi Arabia
While Yamal’s role remains a question-mark, it’s difficult to see Spain struggling to the level they did against Cape Verde. Their campaign should get on track here.
Prediction: Spain 3-1 Saudi Arabia
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