Impressive Spain march into round of 16

INGLEWOOD, California, (AP):

Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals and Spain beat Austria 3-0 yesterday for their first World Cup victory in a knockout match since winning the title in 2010.

Pedro Porro added a goal in the second half for Spain, who put on their most impressive performance of the tournament while dominating possession and demonstrating the offensive creativity across their vaunted line-up.

Spain also have yet to concede a goal at this year’s World Cup. Unai Simón didn’t have to make a save while keeping his fourth consecutive clean sheet, since Austria failed to get a shot on target.

“I’m happy to have helped the team for us to go through another round,” Oyarzabal said. “Now, just rest and get ready for the next one. It was a complicated match. We knew that it was going to be difficult against a very physical team, but we had a very good day and played a good match.”

Lamine Yamal had four of Spain’s 10 shots on goal while getting wild cheers from the pro-Spanish sellout crowd at SoFi Stadium. The 18-year-old Barcelona sensation played his longest stretch of the tournament before coming off in the 85th minute, moments after Austria defender David Alaba deflected his hard shot off the goal line.

Spain got their marquee offence from Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad captain who doubled his goal total at this year’s World Cup by opening the scoring in the 36th minute and clinching the victory in the 89th. Marc Cucurella had assists on both of Oyarzabal’s goals, demonstrating an excellent connection from the left side.

“The great teams step up when it’s needed,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said. “We played a great match. We came close to perfection, but we must keep improving. There is always room for improvement, because every upcoming match will be very difficult.”

Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager made six saves in an outstanding performance for Austria, who reached the knockout rounds of their first World Cup since 1998 by squeaking out a late draw with an injury-time goal against Algeria. Coach Ralf Rangnick’s team hasn’t won a knockout match at the World Cup since 1954.

After an unbeaten group stage that still didn’t quiet the questions about this star-laden team’s championship potential, Spain are firmly back in World Cup contention for the first time since winning it all in South Africa 16 years ago.

Spain are now unbeaten 35 straight competitive matches since March 2023. La Roja won the 2023 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship in that stretch, but also lost the 2025 Nations League final on penalties to Portugal.

Following a cautious start against Austria, Spain unleashed their full attack after the first-half hydration break. Three minutes after Schlager made a diving fingertip save on Oyarzabal’s low shot, the Spain player came unmarked in the penalty area and banged home a pass from Cucurella for his third goal of the World Cup.

Spain kept up the pressure after half-time, playing some of their most creative football of the tournament. They were rewarded when Baena broke in on the left side and lifted a pass to an unmarked Porro, who banged home an emphatic header for his first international goal.

Oyarzabal wrapped it up by converting another sharp pass from Cucurella.