‘Dangerous’: Spain wary of Saudi threat as two fight for World Cup Group H supremacy

LONDON: Spanish knowhow is helping Saudi Arabian football to develop and at the same time using that inside knowledge to warn their countrymen to expect a tough test in Sunday’s crucial 2026 World Cup clash in Atlanta.

Before the 48-team tournament kicked off, few predicted that these two teams would be level on points after the opening games in Group H as Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay, and Spain were, much more surprisingly, held to a 0-0 draw by debutants Cape Verde.

That result has led to a lot of criticism coming the way of the coach Luis de la Fuente in the Spanish media. It has also brought a renewed determination not to slip up against a Saudi Arabian side that is looking to reach the knockout stages for the second time in their seventh appearance.

Indeed, Ramon Planes, who spent the past two years as sports director of Jeddah giants Al-Ittihad, has warned his countrymen that this current version of the Asian team is better than the one that beat Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup.

“There is a team that is a mix between that (2022) generation, which is nearing its end, and the new one,” Planes said. “It is a team with much more experience, evidently, but also with young players who will form the base for the 2034 World Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia. I believe it is slightly more dangerous because it has more experience.”

The Spanish official also warned that the Green Falcons will present Spain with a tougher challenge than their opening game opponents from Africa. “They have a slightly higher tactical understanding than Cape Verde and are technically superior. They will face an opponent that can cause more offensive damage than Cape Verde did.”

Planes has also seen Georgios Donis in action as a head