Spain entered the World Cup among the leading contenders but failed to break through in their opener. Cucurella believes the disappointment has delivered a useful reminder: every opponent must be treated with complete concentration.
“We realised that it's not easy to be here, that we have to be 100% focused in every match because any team can beat you,” he said.
That lesson has been reinforced by other early surprises, with Portugal and Belgium also dropping points against opponents considered less fancied. The gap between established powers and ambitious outsiders appears narrower than ever.
Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay in their first match and are expected to offer Spain another compact defensive challenge. Cucurella anticipates a side willing to absorb pressure, protect the penalty area and attack quickly when possession turns over.
Their recent World Cup history demands respect. At the 2022 tournament, Saudi Arabia stunned eventual champions Argentina with a 2-1 victory, proof that their counter-attacking threat cannot be dismissed.
For Spain, the challenge will be finding more precision in the final third without becoming vulnerable to transitions. Possession alone will not be enough if Saudi Arabia remain disciplined.
Spain are not measuring this campaign against the unbeaten run that carried them through Euro 2024. The focus instead is on correcting the flaws exposed by Cape Verde and producing a sharper performance.
“We know what we've missed, we're working on it this week,” Cucurella said. “And hopefully we can play a great match and secure those three points.”
Sunday’s fixture should reveal whether Spain’s early scare becomes a damaging setback or the wake-up call that strengthens their tournament challenge.