Spain secures knockout stage spot
Spain has secured its place in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 after a decisive 3-0 victory against Austria in Los Angeles. The European champions delivered a strong performance, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring two goals and Pedro Porro adding another, effectively ending Austria’s hopes in the round of 32.
The match, held at SoFi Stadium with an attendance of 70,492, saw Spain dominate despite an early disallowed goal for Marc Cucurella. Oyarzabal broke the deadlock late in the first half, giving Spain a crucial lead. Austria, led by Ralf Rangnick, attempted to stage a comeback, notably bringing on Sasa Kalajdzic, who had been a hero in their previous knockout stage qualification. However, Kalajdzic’s attempt to equalise went over the bar.
Pedro Porro extended Spain’s advantage by heading in a goal from close range. Oyarzabal then sealed the victory by converting a cross from Cucurella, marking his second goal of the match. This commanding win sets up a clash for Spain against either Portugal or Croatia in the next round.
Oyarzabal’s impact and Spain’s strong defence
Mikel Oyarzabal’s performance was central to Spain’s success, with his two goals bringing his total for the tournament to three. The Real Sociedad forward has been a key player for Spain, particularly since taking on a more prominent role. He previously scored the winning goal against England in the 2024 final. Oyarzabal expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I’m happy to help the team and get through to the next round. Now we need to rest.”
Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, acknowledged the team’s strong showing, particularly in the knockout stage. “We knew it would be an important match, especially in this knockout stage. We had the previous games in mind and, in every aspect, we were almost perfect,” he commented. De la Fuente also emphasised the need for continuous improvement, noting, “But there are still a few little things to improve. We can always do better. Every match is going to be more difficult than the last. We need to keep this mentality.”
Spain has maintained an impressive defensive record in the tournament, having not conceded a single goal so far. The team also boasts an unbeaten streak of 34 games within 90 minutes in competitive international matches. The presence of players like Lamine Yamal, who displayed glimpses of his quality, suggests further potential for the squad.
Journey to the knockout stages
Mikel Oyarzabal has been a significant attacking force for the Spain national football team. His contributions were also notable in the 2024 UEFA Euro, where his performances helped La Roja secure the silverware. Oyarzabal’s journey includes overcoming a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that sidelined him from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
He made his senior debut for Spain in 2016 after progressing through every youth level. Currently, he serves as the captain for Real Sociedad and is a first-choice striker for the national team. His first goal in the World Cup was against Saudi Arabia, where he doubled Spain’s lead in the 21st minute of a 4-0 victory. He completed a brace in that match, scoring his second goal just three minutes later.
Against Austria, Oyarzabal scored the opening goal in the 36th minute, helping Spain establish control. His second goal in the match against Austria further solidified Spain’s position and ensured their advancement to the round of 16. The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup has now entered its knockout stages, with Spain considered among the favourites to win the tournament.
The match saw Spain’s comfortable 3-0 victory.
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Source: skysports.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
