2026 World Cup: Spain's chances of success this summer assessed after drab draw

Ahead of Spain's 2026 World Cup clash with Saudi Arabia, Sports Mole's Football Editor Matt Law and Site Coordinator Ben Knapton sermon La Roja's existent situation.

Matt Law, Football Editor: 'I don't deliberation we should spell overboard'

I don't deliberation we should spell overboard connected a show similar that. It tin happen, arsenic we've seen. Argentina are the astir caller example, losing their archetypal crippled and past going connected to triumph the tourney successful 2022.

I wouldn't beryllium losing my caput implicit it. It was a mediocre effect and a mediocre performance. Spain had 74% of the ball, 27 shots, 7 connected target. I've seen a batch of disapproval of the Spanish forwards. Ferran Torres has been truly heavy criticised. But I don't deliberation the players down him were large astatine all.

I don't deliberation Rodri was large astatine all. Fabian Ruiz and Pedri weren't creating bundles upon bundles of chances. I cognize Ferran Torres missed a couple, but determination wasn't a existent watercourse of chances and it was each connected the Spanish forwards.

As a full it was incredibly lacklustre, until Lamine Yamal was introduced with 19 minutes to spell and past it each changed. There were a mates of standout moments.

He played that beauteous walk connected the extracurricular of his ft into Oyarzabal, but couldn't find the backmost of the net. He looks similar he'll travel into the squad for this one.

Spain consciousness he's acceptable to travel successful for a start. Potentially Nico Williams arsenic well. Nico Williams wasn't large past play for Athletic Bilbao. He had truly atrocious fittingness problems and that remains the case.

But helium whitethorn perchance travel in, with Ferran Torres and Gavi perchance dropping out. Spain volition look a batch stronger and much dynamic successful this game. I bash deliberation they volition triumph this game.

Four points from the adjacent 2 games guarantees a spot successful the apical two. With the fixtures they've got, it's a beardown side. Spain should inactive beryllium considered steadfast favourites, alongside France and England.

I deliberation they'll bounce backmost here. All 4 teams are level connected 1 constituent aft 1 game. It does present a grade of unexpected jeopardy for Spain.

Saudi Arabia are susceptible of an upset against the odds, and Uruguay are ne'er an casual squad to face. Cape Verde was their banker, and they've messed that 1 up.

Site coordinator Ben Knapton: 'There is simply a tiny spot of jeopardy'

There is simply a tiny spot of jeopardy, you could argue. But I've inactive got nary concerns implicit Spain, due to the fact that they lone request 1 triumph and 1 gully to get through.

De la Fuente highlighted the information that Spain are present 32 games unbeaten successful each competitions, and helium was comparatively calm, if impassioned, astatine the full-time property conference. Yamal and Williams volition travel backmost in.

Even though Yamal was lone connected the transportation for astir 20 to 25 minutes against Cape Verde, helium inactive had the astir dribbles of immoderate subordinate successful the full match. He is conscionable the subordinate you subordinate with making thing hap retired of nothing.

If helium comes in, Spain person a much, overmuch bigger chance. He makes specified a large difference, whether he's playing for Spain oregon Barcelona. There are reports that De la Fuente could change his formation, possibly play a 4-2-3-1. Fabian Ruiz could driblet out.

Dani Olmo could travel in, providing adjacent much of an attacking threat. They mightiness not look arsenic debased a artifact arsenic they faced against Cape Verde, who besides had that goalkeeper, Vozinha, successful perfectly inspired form.

Spain volition beryllium perfectly fine. Saudi Arabia drew one-all with Uruguay successful their opening game, acknowledgment mostly to their goalkeeper. Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia some had outstanding performances from their goalkeepers.

It leaves Saudi Arabia successful a truly bully presumption to qualify. They lone request a triumph against Cape Verde successful their past game, and 4 points should beryllium enough, adjacent if it's arsenic a third-placed team.

They've lone ever made it retired of the groups erstwhile before, successful 1994. In the past 5 oregon six World Cups they haven't made it retired of the radical stages, truthful they're successful a truly bully presumption now.