Pau Cubarsi's 98% Pass Perfection Against Saudi Arabia: This 19-Year-Old Is NO JOKE

Okay, Emerald City, let's talk about the World Cup, because Spain just dropped a tactical bomb on Saudi Arabia, and the whole world should be paying attention. After that frustrating 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde, the critics were out in force. But last night? Spain went nuclear, obliterating Saudi Arabia 4-0. This wasn't just a win, fam, this was a statement. The kind of statement that makes you sit up, spill your coffee, and shout at the TV, "THERE IT IS!"

Spain's Attack Found Its Rhythm, Finally

Seriously, what a turnaround. Spain wasn't messing around this time. We're talking 67% possession, a whopping 2.85 xG, 22 shots with eight on target, and five big chances created. This was the offensive firepower everyone's been waiting for. And who lit the fuse? None other than the phenom, Lamine Yamal. Restored to the starting lineup, the teenager wasted zero time, opening the scoring in the 11th minute off a Mikel Oyarzabal cross. Yamal put up five shots himself, two on target, and had a 0.70 xG. He gave Spain that much-needed width and confidence, then dipped at halftime with the job already locked down. Then there's Dani Olmo. The dude was absolutely gliding through Saudi players like they weren't even there. He was just a ghost in green, setting up Oyarzabal's second goal in the 24th minute before getting swapped out after the hour mark. He hardly missed a beat, showcasing exactly what Spain lacked in that opening draw. If you ask me, he's nailed down that No. 10 spot for Spain for the foreseeable futu

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re. Coach Luis de la Fuente got it right by trusting Olmo and Pedri in their natural roles, and the results speak for themselves.

The Kid Who Made Defense Look Criminal

But let's be real, while the goals were flying, one player had me absolutely stunned: Pau Cubarsi. This 19-year-old put on a defensive masterclass that felt, honestly, criminal. We're talking 98 completions out of 99 passes! Ninety-eight! Think about that for a second. Saudi Arabia was basically shut down, limited to just three shots and a measly two touches inside Spain's penalty area. Cubarsi was positioned perfectly, a rock alongside Laporte, showing off a passing range from central defense that was just absurd. It wasn't about flashy tackles, it was about pure, unadulterated control and flawless distribution. Pedri, as always, was pulling strings in the midfield, helping Spain dictate the pace before he got a well-deserved rest in the 70th minute. He might not have had the "wow" moments of Yamal, but he didn't need to. He just let the game flow on his terms. With groups starting to take shape and some nations seeing their journeys cut short, Spain just delivered a performance that says, "We're here to stay." We saw Belgium and Iran play out a defensive 0-0 draw, Cabo Verde show their mettle holding Uruguay to a 2-2 thriller, and Egypt fight back from 1-0 down to beat New Zealand 3-1. But Spain's response? That's what we'll be talking about. They’ve laid down a marker and now they have to keep this intensity up. The World Cup is just getting spicy, and Spain has shown us what they’re truly capable of. Bring on the next one!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.