Saudi Arabia coach defends players after 4-0 World Cup qualifier loss to Spain

Saudi Arabia's coach Georgios Donis maintained pride in his players despite their heavy 4-0 defeat against Spain in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Donis urged for a realistic assessment of the loss, emphasizing his continued belief in his squad.

The Green Falcons conceded three goals within the first 24 minutes. Lamine Yamal scored the opener, followed by two quick goals from Mikel Oyarzabal. An own goal by Hassan Al-Tambakti in the second half compounded Saudi Arabia's struggles.

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I am proud of everything the players do every day. I will not lose pride in them just because of one bad result.

"I am proud of everything the players do every day. I will not lose pride in them just because of one bad result," Donis stated. He referenced past World Cup matches with similar scorelines, such as 5-1 and 6-0, and asked critics to be realistic. "We are here to accept criticism, but I also expect those who criticize us to be realistic."

Saudi Arabia had previously drawn attention by holding Uruguay to a 1-1 draw in their opening match. However, the significant loss to Spain has raised questions about their true capabilities. The team faces Cape Verde in their final group match, needing a victory to keep alive hopes of reaching the next round, a feat they have not achieved since the 1994 World Cup.

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We are here to accept criticism, but I also expect those who criticize us to be realistic.