FIFA World Cup 2026: Dominant Spain advance past Austria

Spain advanced to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ as two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro’s first for his country secured a convincing victory over Austria in Los Angeles.

Spain’s success was their first in the knockout rounds of the World Cup since their triumph in South Africa in 2010 – and their reward is a Round of 16 tie in Dallas on 6 July against the winners of the Portugal-Croatia match.

Lamine Yamal set the tone early with a shot on goal in the first minute and the European champions’ threat grew as the half progressed. Marc Cucurella thought he had put Spain in front from a corner kick but the goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

Oyarzabal broke the deadlock after 36 minutes, when Cucurella supplied the low ball from the left and the Basque frontman steered a first-time shot into the corner for his third goal of these finals.

La Roja were close to doubling their lead before the break as Alex Baena’s free-kick struck the crossbar and Yamal forced another save from Schlager in the aftermath.

For Austria, chances were scarce. Michael Gregoritsch failed to connect with a Marcel Sabitzer cross at 0-0 while substitute Sasa Kalajdzic could not keep his header down from another Sabitzer ball moments after his introduction on the hour.

Instead, a header at the other end secured Spain’s progress, Baena crossing from the left and Pedro Porro arriving to nod in. After David Alaba had blocked a Yamal shot on the line, Spain got a third goal to reflect their superiority as Oyarzabal slid in his second from another Cucurella cross. (FIFA)