European champions Spain continued their pursuit of global glory on Thursday, as they eased through a World Cup test against Austria in the round of 32.
Mikel Oyarzabal was on the scoresheet twice for the European champions in a 3-0 win, tucking away two tidy strikes either side of a Pedro Porro header, and guiding Spain into the last 16. There, Portugal or Croatia will await.
These goals followed a controversial moment in which Marc Cucurella had a goal ruled out due to an alleged foul on Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. But that meant little in the end, as Luis de la Fuente’s side progressed at the expense of Ralf Rangnick’s in Los Angeles.
In doing so, Spain secured their first knockout win at the World Cup since 2010, when they lifted the trophy for the only time in their nation’s history.
Follow all of the latest from the round of 32 clash with our live blog below:
Up next
Now Spain wait to see who they will face on Monday in Dallas.
It will be Portugal or Croatia, who are about to meet in Toronto with kick-off at midnight BST.
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Simon’s stats continued
Spain didn’t allow a shot on target versus Austria, which Opta says is the first time a team haven’t allowed one in a knockout match since Germany in the 2014 final.
Are you watching, France? Spain are peaking at just the right time
While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.
Long wait ended
According to Miguel Delaney that is the first goal scored by a Spain player in a knockout tie since Andres Iniesta in the 2010 final. There was an own goal against Russia in 2018. It was also the first time they have scored more than once in a knockout match since 1994.
Rocks at the back
Let’s not forget that Spain are yet to concede a goal at this World Cup.
The attack are hogging the limelight, as always, but they have been impenetrable at the back.
At full-time they shook the hands of their opponents, quickly applauded the fans and walked off. No Wonderwall singing here.
Full-time! Spain 3-0 Austria
That’s that for Austria, who head home after being massively outclassed.
Spain advance and when the winner of Portugal or Croatia watch this back they will be rather fearful indeed.
