After a shock opening result left supporters questioning whether their favourites had lost their bite, Spain needed a response that silenced every doubt. The stage was set in Atlanta for a side determined to remind the world why it arrived among the tournament's most feared names. From the very first whistle, Luis de la Fuente's players pinned Saudi Arabia inside their own half, swarming forward with an intensity that suggested the opening stalemate against Cabo Verde had been nothing more than a bad dream. The contest was effectively settled before the first hydration break. Lamine Yamal, restored to the starting lineup, slid home the opener in the tenth minute on his first World Cup start, becoming the eighth-youngest goalscorer in the competition's history at just 18 years and 343 days. Mikel Oyarzabal then capitalised on desperate defending to score twice in three minutes midway through the half, and the Real Sociedad forward nearly completed a first-half hat-trick when he clipped the crossbar from a poorly cleared ball. There was no mercy after the interval, even with both goalscorers withdrawn. Marc Cucurella's volley was saved by Mohammed Alowais, but the rebound was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Hassan Altambakti, sealing a 4-0 demolition. The result leaves Spain knowing that a single point against Uruguay in their final group match will guarantee a place in the Round of 32, while Saudi Arabia must regroup quickly for a must-win showdown with Cabo Verde. For a team that began the tournament with a stumble, this was a statement written in capital letters. The movement was sharper, the passing more incisive, and the pressing so relentless that Saudi Arabia rarely had time to settle on the ball. De la Fuente had clearly demanded a reaction, and his players delivered it with the kind of authority that makes opponents take notice. Even the substitutes maintained the tempo, ensuring there was no drop-off as the match wore on. The only minor frustration was the failure to add further goals, though on a night like this, four felt more than sufficient. With confidence restored and a place in the knockout rounds within touching distance, Spain suddenly look like the force everyone had predicted. The question now is whether they can carry this level into the matches that truly matter.