Spain cruise past Austria to reach World Cup last 16

By Trust Ittai 

 

Spain ended a 16-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory with an emphatic 3-0 win over Austria in Los Angeles, booking their place in the Round of 16 in commanding fashion.

After gradually turning the screws on their opponents, Spain finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Marc Cucurella delivered a low cross into the box, and Mikel Oyarzabal calmly swept the ball home from 12 yards to reward Spain's sustained dominance.

The European champions doubled their advantage in the 66th minute following another well-worked move. Patient build-up play culminated in Alex Baena's inviting cross, which right-back Pedro Porro met with a powerful header after bursting into the penalty area.

Spain completed the rout with a minute remaining as Cucurella and Oyarzabal combined once more. Cucurella produced a perfectly weighted through ball for the striker, who coolly slotted home his fourth goal of the tournament.

Spain had earlier thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half when Cucurella fired in after a partially cleared corner, but the goal was ruled out after Pau Cubarsi was adjudged to have fouled Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

Schlager kept Austria in the contest before the break with a string of outstanding saves. He first denied Oyarzabal with a sharp low stop before producing a brilliant double save, tipping Baena's free-kick onto the crossbar and then blocking Lamine Yamal's follow-up effort with his chest.

Austria, featuring in their first World Cup knockout match since 1954, had a rare opportunity after the restart when substitute Sasa Kalajdzic headed over with his first touch. However, they created little else as Spain remained in complete control.

The victory also saw Spain join Mexico as the only teams yet to concede a goal in their opening four matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining their status as one of the tournament's strongest contenders.