Saudi Arabia Suffer Heavy Defeat, Fans Recall Roberto Mancini's Remarks

MADRID — Saudi Arabia were left badly beaten after suffering a 4-0 loss to Spain in their second Group stage match at the 2026 World Cup. The poor result on Thursday early morning WIB immediately triggered a wave of anger from Al-Akhdar supporters, who were deeply disappointed by their team’s flat performance over the full 90 minutes at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

Sharp criticism from fans in Riyadh to Jeddah quickly turned toward Greek head coach Georgios Donis. His tactical plan was seen as a complete failure in coping with Spain’s fast-moving game led by their creative midfielders. The players on the pitch were also targeted for their frustration, as they looked short on determination and kept making basic mistakes.

Ninety Minutes of Pain on the Pitch

From the first whistle, the Green Falcons were under heavy pressure from the high pressing used by La Roja. The flowing game they had shown when holding Uruguay in the first match suddenly vanished without a trace. Saudi Arabia were outclassed in every department.

Saudi Arabia failed to produce a single shot on target against the Matadors throughout the match. Duel statistics showed Spain’s total dominance, with La Roja winning 65 percent of the contested balls in midfield. Al-Akhdar’s midfield often lost possession easily while trying to build up play from the back.

The tactical trouble worsened because the defense was chaotic. Spain’s four goals, scored by Alvaro Morata in the 18th minute, Nico Williams in the 34th, Dani Olmo in the 57th, and a stoppage-time second-half penalty by Mikel Oyarzabal, exposed Saudi Arabia’s fragile back line. Donis tried to bring on two defensive midfielders early in the second half, but the changes could not stop the pressure.

Fans’ Anger and the Bitter Memory of Roberto Mancini

As criticism flooded social media, Saudi fans began recalling the past. Interestingly, they were talking again about old comments from senior defender Ali Al-Bulaihi about former national team boss Roberto Mancini. Mancini’s relationship with the squad had already turned tense before he was eventually removed from the coaching job.

Al-Bulaihi had previously described Mancini’s treatment in the dressing room as highly disciplined and uncompromising. The coach, who led Italy to the Euro 2020 title, often delivered very harsh criticism to the Saudi players during his time in charge.

“Mancini even told us directly that we did not understand football and did not know the basic things in this game,” Al-Bulaihi said in an old interview that has now gone viral again on X.

Mancini’s Words Now Seem True

For loyal Saudi supporters, the humiliating loss to Spain has become proof that Roberto Mancini’s old remarks were not far off the mark. The basic technical quality of the players is still far below elite world standards. The transition from defense to attack looked very slow and easy to predict.

Donis’ low-block approach also fell apart because of individual errors inside the penalty area. The gap between the lines was too wide, so passing moves from the back kept breaking down before reaching midfield. It stood in stark contrast to Spain’s tidy organization.

“We apologize to all the supporters. We made many tactical mistakes tonight, and Spain punished every gap we left,” Georgios Donis said in a post-match news conference, sounding dejected.

Now, Donis has a huge job ahead of him to restore his players’ confidence. With one group-stage match left against Canada, Saudi Arabia’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds are hanging by a thread because of the large goal-difference hit from this heavy defeat. The Green Falcons must win big in the final match and hope other results go their way.