FIFA WORLD CUP: Spain's Three-Goal Blitz Against Saudi Arabia

It took Spain less than 25 minutes to remember they are very, very good at football.

After a forgettable 0-0 draw against Cape Verde to open their World Cup campaign, La Roja walked onto the pitch Sunday against Saudi Arabia and apparently decided enough was enough. Goals at the 10th, 21st, and 24th minute, a stunning three-goal burst, left the Saudis looking less like World Cup opponents and more like spectators who accidentally wandered onto the field.

The stats are almost comedic. Spain have 74% possession. Saudi Arabia have managed exactly one shot, and missed. Spain have had 15. At one point in the first half, the Saudi goalkeeper was essentially the busiest man on the pitch, racking up 12 goal kicks as his teammates did their best impression of a team trying to survive a hurricane.

Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Rodri, essentially the entire Barcelona and Real Madrid greatest hits collection, are on the pitch and playing like they have a point to prove. They do.

Whether Spain can carry this form into the knockout rounds remains to be seen. But for now, in a tournament that has already produced its share of upsets and surprises, it's oddly reassuring to watch one of the game's great footballing nations do exactly what they're supposed to do.

Saudi Arabia, for their part, got a yellow card at the 30th minute. It was their most notable contribution of the afternoon.

Full time is still to come. At this rate, Spain may need a bigger scoreboard.