After flattering to deceive in the group stage Lamine Yamal boldly predicted that Spain would be ‘almost unstoppable’ once they finally shifted out of first gear at the World Cup. While they’re yet to justify such a statement Luis de la Fuente’s side are slowly getting there.
On Thursday in Los Angeles, the European champions brushed aside Austria to claim a 3-0 victory and stroll into the last 16, marking their first knockout win at this tournament since 2010.
And just like 16 years ago, when they captured their first and only World Cup while giving up just two goals along the way, they are keeping things tight down the other end. La Roja are still yet to concede one this summer, while they have also allowed only three shots on target in four games. None came here.
Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and a second-half header from Pedro Porro sealed the three-goal win at SoFi Stadium, with either Portugal or Croatia to come in the next round. Even the magic of Lamine Yamal, who enjoyed some bright flashes but failed to get on the scoresheet, was not required in LA.
Almost 10 miles south of Hollywood, Spanish movie icon Penelope Cruz was shown celebrating as her country cruised into the last 16. It may not have been a blockbuster but Spain are setting the scene for a potential second star.
Spain’s players Marc Cucurella and Rodri celebrate with goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal
Hydration break works wonders
Despite Spain’s typical desire for slow, steady control it was a lively start in LA as Austria pushed forward and found some gaps out wide, with Marcel Sabitzer an early threat over on the left. Inside the opening 60 seconds, Yamal also delivered his first edge-of-your seat moment when he reclaimed possession and sparked a rapid Spanish counter, which ended with the teenager rolling a tame effort straight at Alexander Schlager.
Up until the first hydration break chances for either side were few and far between. Spain, who have faced some criticism for a lack of fluidity despite topping Group H without conceding a goal, were just not clicking early on as they tried to take the sting out of the game and dominate the ball.
Pedri and Rodri were often too close together as Ralf Rangnick’s Austria looked to congest the midfield. Yamal, other than another moment in the 11th minute when he should have won Spain a penalty after burning past Austria’s Konrad Laimer and getting bundled over in the area, was not involved as much as De la Fuente would have liked either.
Then, once both teams had their controversial break to replenish fluids, a hydrated La Roja suddenly sparked into life.
Marc Cucurella thought he’d fired them ahead when he smashed home a rebound from a corner in the 29th minute, only for the linesman to flag for the softest of fouls on Schlager. While three Spanish players did leap up to challenge for the ball in and around the Austria keeper, it was difficult to spot any real infringement.
Tottenham defender Pedro Porro scored with a header as they ran out 3-0 victors over Austria
Yet they didn’t have to wait too much longer for the opener. Spain, moving the ball with much more speed and purpose now from flank to flank, were beginning to outplay a fading Austrian unit, and the inevitable goal came eight minutes before halftime.
Pedri first glided towards the box and threaded a neat pass through to Cucurella in space on the left. The new Real Madrid signing glanced up and then sent the ball straight to the feet of Mikel Oyarzabal, who cleverly stroked it to the right of an oncoming David Alaba and past Schlager to open the scoring.
Alex Baena came close to doubling their lead at the end of the half when his looping free-kick cannoned off the bar. By the interval, Spain were into their groove while failing to concede as much as a shot on target down the other end
Before they mounted a dramatic comeback, England also seemed to up the ante after their first hydration break against DR Congo on Wednesday.
Perhaps FIFA’s contentious new format has its perks.
Wreck it Ralf
In a drastic bid to turn the tide Austria boss Ralf Rangnick made four changes by the hour mark, including two at halftime, as the 37-year-old former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic entered the fray.
That did little to revive his wilting side here, nonetheless, as Spain continued to exert their authority. And just before the second hydration break of the day, Porro was the unlikely scorer of Spain’s second.
Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick cut a frustrated figure in Austria’s defeat
Following some scrappy play on the edge of the area, Cucurella eventually worked the ball to Baena in acres of space. The Atletico Madrid star took a few touches out of his feet and unleashed a sharp cross with his left to Porro, who headed home from close range to double their lead.
Then, in the final minute of normal time, Oyarzabal made it three when he got on the end of Cucurella’s ball into the box and headed past a helpless Schlager.
While he deserves credit for guiding Austria back to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, Rangnick will surely be bitterly disappointed with his team’s tame showing here.
To not even register a shot on target, especially after throwing on two strikers in Arnautovic and Sasa Kalajdzic, is a miserable way to end the nation’s long-awaited return to the big stage.
They were simply too passive and predictable in possession on Thursday afternoon. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon can’t have had a more comfortable day at the office than this.
A soft precedent
After Germany were controversially denied an extra-time winner against Paraguay due to an apparent foul on their goalkeeper, before they eventually crashed out on penalties, FIFA referees appear to be following the same soft blueprint.
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal looks to take the ball past Konrad Laimer
Oyarzabal was at the double to take his tally at this World Cup so far to four goals
Cucurella’s disallowed goal should have stood in the first half. Schlager was not ‘fouled’ by any Spain player in close proximity, who have every right to jump and challenge for the ball.
Fortunately, De la Fuente’s men don’t have to worry about that baffling decision after getting the job done in style.
Though if the officials continue to penalize players for merely contesting goalkeepers, there will be more controversy and outrage to come as these knockout games continue to grow in importance.
Solid as a Roja
Everyone remembers the great Spanish side of 2010 as a free-flowing, tika-taka machine fueled by some of the most gifted midfielders of all time in Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets.
Yet in the knockout stage of La Roja’s first and only World Cup win, they won all four games 1-0 under the legendary Vicente del Bosque.
De la Fuente’s 2026 version are just as dominant in possession and just as watertight at the back. They didn’t even concede a shot on target here today, let alone a goal, making it four clean sheets out of four.
While France’s electric attack makes them the favorites, and Argentina will always be amongst the leading contenders when Lionel Messi is firing on all cylinders, Spain are the most defensively sound and controlled unit at this summer’s competition.
With Rodri mopping up just in front of them, Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi have developed a formidable partnership at the heart of the defense, meaning Simon has had very little to worry about so far.
Even though it still feels like they can shift into another gear or two, and the tests will become more challenging the deeper they go in the tournament, the European champions have made it to the last 16 without being breached.
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