Spain v Saudi Arabia: Commentary, updates, targets and stats as Lamine Yamal makes first World Cup begin

Spain have little room for error once they face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta this afternoon.

The shock goalless draw with Cape Verde of their Group H opener has put Luis de la Fuente’s aspect on the again foot and so they want a win right here to kick-start their match hopes.

Saudi Arabia are in the same state of affairs having drawn their opening sport towards Uruguay regardless of a second-half onslaught from Marcelo Bielsa’s aspect.

Saudi will seemingly have to organize for dealing with Lamine Yamal for a higher period of time than the 19 minutes he performed towards Cape Verde.

Yamal remains to be working his approach again to full health following a hamstring damage suffered whereas scoring a penalty for Barcelona in April.

{The teenager} remains to be not able to play a full 90 minutes, although he’s ready to simply accept no matter position De la Fuente allocates him.

“It’s very early, it’s pointless,” Yamal advised RTVE. “It’s not the time to play an entire match, however I can play no matter minutes the coach needs.

“Clearly on Sunday we have now to win as a result of we’re among the many favourites and we have now to win.

“We are going to go to attain that victory, and naturally, we are going to deliver out our enjoying type and present who we’re.

“Collectively we are going to overcome every little thing. I’m additionally positive that we’ll all be collectively on July 19.”

The place to look at Spain v Saudi Arabia: TV and on-line streams

Spain v Saudi Arabia kicks off at 5:00pm UK time on Sunday. Will probably be broadcast on BBC One and also will be out there to look at on the iPlayer and through the BBC Sport web site.

Stats for Spain v Saudi Arabia

• Spain and Saudi Arabia have met 3 times earlier than, with La Roja successful on every event.
• The one World Cup assembly between the 2 nations got here in 2006, when Juanito scored the one aim in a 1-0 victory for Spain.
• Spain have scored simply twice of their final 4 World Cup matches since a 7-0 win over Costa Rica within the opening sport of the 2022 match.
• Three of Saudi Arabia’s final 4 World Cup video games have seen each groups rating.
• Saudi Arabia have misplaced all however certainly one of their 11 World Cup matches towards UEFA opponents. The lone exception being a 1-0 victory over Belgium on their debut look in 1994.
• Spain have gained two of their 5 World Cup matches towards AFC opponents (D2, L1). Their solely defeat throughout 90 minutes got here on the 2022 World Cup towards Japan. They had been eradicated by South Korea on penalties after a 0-0 draw within the quarter-finals in 2002.