Spain ease past Austria into World Cup last 16
Spain eliminated Austria with a commanding 3-0 victory in Los Angeles, advancing to the knockout stages and setting up a high-stakes European clash next week.
Spain secured a 3-0 victory over Austria on Thursday to advance to the World Cup last 16. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added a header, bringing Austria's tournament run to a definitive end.
The fixture at SoFi Stadium highlighted the global pull of European football, drawing Hollywood actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, alongside singer Rosalia. Spain's progression maintains strong continental representation in a North American-hosted tournament, ensuring sustained public and commercial interest back home. "Every match from now on will be more complicated. Every match will be a bit more demanding. We are moving into a more critical phase" of the World Cup, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente noted.
Spain controlled possession and systematically dismantled the Austrian defence. The pressure built after the first hydration break, with Marc Cucurella having a goal disallowed due to Pau Cubarsi encroaching on the goalkeeper. Alexander Schlager then made a superb diving save to deny Oyarzabal, but the winger eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
Pedri switched the play wide to Cucurella, who crossed for Oyarzabal to calmly side-foot past the goalkeeper. Lamine Yamal caused constant problems for the Austrian defence, forcing another fine save after Alex Baena hit the crossbar with a free kick. Austria's only real opening came when Romano Schmid played in Stefan Posch, who wasted the chance with a poor first touch.
Austria shifted to a direct approach in the second half by introducing giant strikers Sasa Kalajdzic and Marko Arnautovic. The tactic nearly yielded an immediate result, but Kalajdzic headed over the bar. Spain instead sealed the victory in the 66th minute when Baena's cross was met by Porro, who nodded in his first international goal.
David Alaba prevented a wider defeat with a goal-line clearance from Yamal before the youngster was substituted to rest. Oyarzabal then added his second in the 89th minute, finishing off another precise Cucurella cross.
The victory sets up a round-of-16 match against either Portugal or Croatia in Dallas on Monday. "We played a magnificent match. I am happy because, in every aspect, we came close to perfection," said De la Fuente. "That is our spirit - the belief that we haven't hit our ceiling yet. We need to improve naturally. We are ambitious."
