Spain lastly ended their lengthy watch for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory after beating Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles to achieve the last 16 of the 2026 match.
The victory was Spain’s first win in a males’s World Cup knockout match since they lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010. Since then, that they had didn’t win a knockout recreation, struggling a group-stage exit in 2014 and last-16 defeats to Russia in 2018 and Morocco in 2022.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring within the thirty sixth minute after ending Marc Cucurella’s low cross. Spain doubled their lead within the 66th minute when right-back Pedro Porro headed dwelling Alex Baena’s supply. Oyarzabal accomplished the victory within the closing phases after one other help from Cucurella.
The match additionally noticed Austria play their first World Cup knockout fixture since 1954, ending a 72-year wait to return to the knockout phases of the competitors.
Spain’s defence continued to impress as they grew to become solely the second staff, alongside Mexico, to not concede a purpose of their opening 4 matches on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Oyarzabal additionally reached one other private milestone, taking his worldwide tally to 29 objectives in 58 appearances for Spain. His brace towards Austria moved him to 4 objectives within the match.
The victory underlined Spain’s rising power on the World Cup. After managing simply 16 photographs on the right track through the group stage, the European champions produced 10 photographs on the right track towards Austria alone.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal as soon as once more confirmed his high quality regardless of not getting on the scoresheet. The 18-year-old troubled Austria’s defence all through the match and was solely denied a purpose by a goal-line clearance from David Alaba.
Spain’s snug victory confirms their return as a serious pressure on the World Cup and strengthens their standing as one of many favourites to win the match
