Spain are back — and so is Lamine Yamal. After a turbulent opening to their World Cup campaign, La Roja rediscovered their best football in a convincing victory over Saudi Arabia, with the teenage winger at the heart of everything.

The win erased early doubts about Spain's readiness to compete at the highest level. For stretches of the tournament's opening phase, they had looked uncertain, far removed from the fluid, incisive side that European football has come to expect. All of that changed with Yamal on the pitch.

Yamal puts Spain back on track

The young Barcelona forward was the standout performer, pulling the strings and stretching the Saudi Arabia defence with his directness and creativity. His presence alone lifted the tempo and confidence of an entire team that had been searching for a spark.

Spain's system clicked once more with Yamal dictating play in his customary position wide on the right. The movement, the combinations, the pressing — it all returned, giving supporters and neutrals alike a reminder of why Spain arrived at this tournament as one of the pre-eminent favourites.

Saudi Arabia struggled to contain the attacking threat posed against them, and Spain took full advantage, posting a result that will send a message to every other side remaining in the competition.

A warning to the rest of the world

With Yamal fit and firing, Spain now look every bit the World Cup contenders they were billed as before the tournament began. The shaky start may already be a distant memory — what matters now is the momentum this result provides heading into the knockout rounds.

For Spain, the message is simple: when their best player is at his best, they are a match for anyone on the planet.