Possession with purpose the need of the hour for Spain

This is a city that became the capital of The New South, where civil rights history meets corporate America, where the headquarters of Coca-Cola rises above streets lined with reminders of a more complicated past.

In June, the Georgia heat settles over Atlanta like a heavy blanket, making the air outside thick and unforgiving. But inside the vast enclosed bowl of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and beneath its retractable roof and powerful air-conditioning, Spain will attempt to cool a World Cup campaign that has begun unexpectedly hot.

Few anticipated that the European champion would arrive for its second group game under pressure. Yet after a frustrating goalless draw against debutant Cape Verde, Spain suddenly finds itself in desperate need of a positive result against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The numbers from that opening game pointed to a familiar malaise in Spanish football, one many believed it had long left behind. It monopolised possession and produced 27 attempts on goal, yet the scoreboard remained untouched.

Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha delivered the performance of his life while Spain was also guilty of making life too comfortable for the Cape Verdeans. For long stretches, it looked like a team searching for the perfect goal when merely finding one would have sufficed.

Cape Verde sat deep, defended bravely and watched Spain pass around it without ever threatening to break the deadlock. That is the challenge facing head coach Luis de la Fuente ahead of the Saudi Arabia match.

Lamine Yamal’s 19-minute appearance from the bench offered a glimpse of a possible solution. The teenager brought unpredictability and directness, qualities that had been missing for much of that afternoon. He could now be rewarded with a place in the starting XI alongside Nico Williams, with Ferran Torres and Gavi among those likely to miss the cut.

Saudi Arabia heads into the clash after an impressive 1-1 draw against Uruguay. The Saudis absorbed pressure, stayed organised and punished mistakes, taking the lead through Abdulelah Al-Amri before eventually being pegged back by Maxi Araujo’s equaliser.

Four years on from his unforgettable winner against Argentina in Qatar, veteran captain Salem Al-Dawsari remains the team’s most influential player, drifting in from the left with the technique and intelligence to change games. Musab Al-Juwayr, the gifted 23-year-old midfielder, provides the creative spark in central areas, while full-back Saud Abdulhamid supplies energy and ambition down the flank.

With all four teams in Group H level on one point, the standings remain perfectly balanced.

Spain still possesses the talent to suffocate opponents. But World Cups have little interest in reputation. Atlanta was built by people who understood the value of reinvention. Spain may need some of that on Sunday. The possession will almost certainly be there, but this time, the goals must follow.