By Dwayne Ferreira.
Spain beat Austria 3-0 as Mikel Oyarzabal scores twice, Pedro Porro adds another, and La Roja reach the World Cup last 16.
Spain beat Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles as Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and sent La Roja into the World Cup last 16 with their strongest display yet.
Spain entered the round of 32 as one of the competition favourites. However, questions remained over whether Luis de la Fuente’s side could turn control into ruthless knockout football. Against Austria, they answered with speed, pressure and defensive command.
Austria had reached the knockout stage after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria. Yet they quickly found themselves pinned back. Spain pressed high, moved the ball with purpose and stretched Austria’s defensive shape by using both flanks.
Spain Beat Austria With Knockout Authority
Lamine Yamal set the early rhythm. The teenage forward worried Austria with his dribbling, movement and confidence. Spain thought Marc Cucurella had opened the scoring, but officials ruled out the effort for a foul on goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
Spain’s pressure finally broke Austria in the 36th minute. Cucurella delivered a precise cross from the left, and Oyarzabal guided his finish into the bottom corner. The goal reflected Spain’s dominance and gave them the halftime platform they deserved.
Austria created one clear moment after the restart when Saša Kalajdžić headed onto the top of the goal. Still, they could not unsettle Spain’s back line. La Roja did not allow a shot on target, becoming the first team to do that in a World Cup knockout match since Germany in the 2014 final.
Oyarzabal Double Strengthens Spain’s Title Case
Spain doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Pedro Porro arrived in the area and headed into the middle of the net, finishing another fluent attacking move and effectively ending Austrian hopes of a comeback.
Oyarzabal completed the win in the 89th minute. He punished a defensive lapse to score his fourth goal of the tournament. His second goal capped a strong individual performance and confirmed his growing role as one of Spain’s most dependable tournament finishers.
Spain’s defence remains one of the major stories of the competition. They have still not conceded a goal, while Unai Simón had another quiet night as Austria struggled to create meaningful chances.
The way Spain beat Austria made their World Cup challenge look more convincing. The victory sends them into the round of 16, where they will face either Portugal or Croatia in Dallas. With Yamal finding rhythm, Oyarzabal scoring freely and the defence still untouched, Spain look increasingly like a serious title contender.
Match Summary
Spain 3
Mikel Oyarzabal 36’, 89’
Pedro Porro 66’
Austria 0
Result: Spain won 3-0
Player of the Match: Mikel Oyarzabal
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 32
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California
Next Fixture: Spain vs Portugal or Croatia, Round of 16
