Spain entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the top three favorites to win the tournament. However, the reigning European champions disappointed in their opening match, being held to a goalless draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde.
In that game, Spain dominated possession with nearly 75% of the ball, attempted 27 shots, registered 7 shots on target, and generated an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.1. Despite their dominance, they failed to find a way past Cape Verde’s resilient defense, marshaled by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha.
One positive takeaway for Spain was their continued ability to generate corner kicks. La Roja won the corner battle 11-1 against Cape Verde. As a result, Luis de la Fuente’s side has averaged more than 7.9 corners per game across their last nine international matches.
Even more impressively, Spain have won the corner differential by at least two corners in each of those nine matches.
In their second group-stage fixture, Spain once again face a significantly weaker opponent in Saudi Arabia. The Asian side earned a respectable point from a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their opening match.
Unlike Spain, however, Saudi Arabia have struggled to create corner opportunities. Across their last five matches, they have won just 13 corners in total. Against stronger opponents, the numbers are even more concerning: in their last four matches versus higher-ranked teams, Saudi Arabia have posted a combined corner differential of minus 21.
Full-Match Corner Pick
- Spain to win the corner handicap.
- Over total corners.
First-Half Corner Analysis
Spain are expected to approach this match much as they did against Cape Verde: dominating possession and applying constant attacking pressure.
The return of wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams should further increase Spain’s focus on wing play, a key source of corner kicks.
Nine of Spain’s last ten matches have produced an Over result in the first-half corner market. In eight of those matches, La Roja also covered the first-half Asian corner handicap.
Given the tactical mismatch and Spain’s expected dominance, this match appears likely to follow the same pattern.
First-Half Corner Pick
- Spain to win the first-half corner handicap.
- Over first-half corners.
Team News
Spain
Lamine Yamal came on for the final 14 minutes of the draw against Cape Verde and is now ready to start. Nico Williams is also expected to be included in the starting lineup.
Victor Munoz is not yet fully fit.
Saudi Arabia
No significant injury concerns have been reported.
The key figure in Saudi Arabia’s attack remains captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who has scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists in 111 international appearances.
Predicted Lineups
Spain
Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, N. Williams.
Saudi Arabia
Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Al Amri, Al Harbi; Al Shamat, Al-Khaibari, Kanno, Al-Dawsari; Al Buraikan, Al-Juwayr.