Spain cruised into the World Cup last 16 with a polished 3-0 victory over Austria on Thursday, courtesy of a Mikel Oyarzabal brace and Pedro Porro’s first international goal, sealing a knockout meeting with either Portugal or Croatia.
The European champions dictated the tempo from the outset, carving open the Austrian defence with trademark precision at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Among the crowd, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Rosalía added Hollywood sheen to an occasion that saw Spain’s faithful transform the venue into a sea of red.
The margin could have been more emphatic. Spain saw a first-half goal disallowed and struck the woodwork from a free-kick, yet their relentless pressure eventually told. Marc Cucurella thought he had opened the scoring from Lamine Yamal’s corner, but Pau Cubarsí was adjudged to have impeded Austria’s goalkeeper. Alexander Schlager then produced a superb diving save to push Oyarzabal’s low shot round the post.
The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute. Pedri’s incisive ball found Cucurella wide on the left, and his measured cross was swept home first-time by Oyarzabal. Spain’s dominance grew thereafter, with Yamal tormenting the Austrian rearguard from the right flank, while Álex Baena’s free-kick crashed against the crossbar before Yamal’s follow-up was smartly saved.
Austria spurned a rare opening on the counter when Romano Schmid located the unmarked Stefan Posch, but a heavy first touch allowed the chance to evaporate. After the interval, the introduction of towering substitutes Saša Kalajdžić and Marko Arnautović prompted a direct approach, yet Kalajdžić could only direct a header over the bar.
Spain’s second arrived in the 66th minute. Baena lifted a precise cross towards Porro, who nodded home to register his maiden goal for La Roja. David Alaba then produced a desperate goalline clearance to deny Yamal, who was subsequently withdrawn to preserve his energy.
As the final minutes ticked down, Spain toyed with possession, drawing approving “olés” from the crowd. Oyarzabal completed his double in the 89th minute, tapping home unmarked from another pinpoint Cucurella delivery.
The victory sets up a sterner assignment in Dallas on Monday, where Spain will face the winners of the Portugal-Croatia tie.
—— AFP