Spain, stung by criticism, respond with 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

Spain delivered a 4-0 reply to their Cape Verde setback by sweeping aside Saudi Arabia, channelling criticism into a collective show of resolve.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Luis de la Fuente had said his players felt stung, and Oyarzabal, Baena, Olmo and Lamine underlined that on the pitch.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored twice and was named player of the match, downplayed the role of the media, saying the squad were harsher on themselves and knew they could do far better.

Dani Olmo accepted the background noise as part of the job and pointed to a group that answers pressure. The week’s work tightened bonds, and Álex Baena, a starter, stressed calm belief after the draw and joy in performance.

Lamine lightened the mood by joking that if he gets wound up on the PlayStation, even more so here. De la Fuente deemed doubts about this team and generation unfair, a stance echoed by a win built on control and conviction.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo