Spain Rotates Yamal And Oyarzabal Off After 4-0 Win Over Saudi Arabia In Atlanta

Spain opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday, with Lamine Yamal scoring 10 minutes into his first start.

“Moments after opening his scoring in the World Cup on Sunday, the Spanish national team player Lamine Jamal found himself facing a wave of attacks on social media after he knelt in celebration of the goal against Saudi Arabia, an act that angered Spanish and European right-wing accounts, which did not see it as a mere celebration but described it as 'Islamization' of the Spanish team and evidence of 'demographic replacement,' as they claimed”

Al-Jazeera Net

FOX Sports quoted Yamal saying, "I’ve always dreamed of being at a World Cup, and being able to score in my first match as a starter is a dream," after he slid in at the far post to touch home a low cross.

Al-Jazeera Net

In the same match, Mikel Oyarzabal scored in the 21st and 24th minutes, and Spain’s lead was so dominant that Luis de la Fuente took both scorers off at halftime.

Bolavip US said Yamal and Oyarzabal were subbed off before the start of the second half, with Yeremy Pino and Ferran Torres coming onto the pitch as Spain rotated after building a commanding halftime advantage.

FOX Sports added that inside four minutes of the second half, Marc Cucurella’s shot rebounded off Hassan Altambakti for an own goal as Spain extended the lead.

Bolavip US said the plan behind the halftime changes was shaped by Yamal’s return from injury and Oyarzabal being managed cautiously, after Yamal came off a long absence due to injury.

FOX Sports described Yamal’s fitness questions after he missed the end of the season with a hamstring injury, and said he was used as a second-half substitute against Cape Verde before being thrown in from the start against Saudi Arabia.

Bolavip US

Bolavip US reported that the original plan called for Yamal to play an hour at Atlanta Stadium against Saudi Arabia, but Spain’s 3-0 lead at halftime gave de la Fuente a chance to rotate with time to spare.

Bolavip US also said Yamal showed some discomfort in the back of his leg at times during the match, and that de la Fuente was extra cautious and subbed off both Yamal and Oyarzabal.

FOX Sports framed the decision as the impact Spain coach Luis de la Fuente wanted from his star player, having been inundated with questions about when Yamal would be ready to start.

After opening his scoring in the World Cup on Sunday, Lamine Jamal faced a wave of attacks on social media after he knelt in celebration of the goal against Saudi Arabia.

“Spain Star Lamine Yamal On His 1st World Cup Goal: 'A Dream Come True' Welcome to the World Cup, Lamine Yamal”

FOX Sports

Al-Jazeera Net described right-wing accounts framing the kneel as 'Islamization' of the Spanish team and evidence of 'demographic replacement,' while also questioning Jamal’s belonging to the Spanish national team and invoking his Moroccan origins and religious identity.

The outlet said open-source intelligence tracked a sample of posts on X and described how the attack moved from Spanish platforms to global platforms through networks and accounts sharing the same views.

Al-Jazeera Net quoted the far-right youth organization 'La Revolta' posting, "Whoever allows Islam for one goal, in the future there will be neither a team nor a nation," tying Jamal’s kneel to Spanish national identity.

It also said the account 'Canario Today' commented 'Spain is Christian not Muslim,' and that the post gained tens of thousands of views within hours as the campaign emphasized a religious and identity clash.