Mikel Oyarzabal’s late second goal turned control into consequence, sealing Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria and ending a 16-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory.
At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Spain did not just advance from the Round of 32. They squeezed the match until Austria had nowhere to breathe, finishing with 65% possession, 22 shots to 5, and a brutal 10-0 edge in shots on target.
Spain overwhelms Austria from the opening minute
The pattern was set almost immediately. Lamine Yamal tested Alexander Schlager inside the first minute, Dani Olmo saw a volley blocked after Yamal’s delivery, and Aymeric Laporte headed off target from a corner as Austria were pushed back early.
Austria’s first opening came in the 18th minute when Marcel Sabitzer found Michael Gregoritsch, but he could not make contact under pressure from Pau Cubarsí. Spain thought they had broken through in the 29th minute through Marc Cucurella after a corner scramble, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Oyarzabal unlocks Austria before Porro strikes
The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute. Pedri released Cucurella on the left, and the full-back found Oyarzabal free in the middle to finish low from around 10 metres for 1-0.
Spain could have stretched the lead before half-time when Alex Baena hit the bar from a free kick and Yamal’s follow-up was saved by Schlager. The numbers later told the same story: Spain’s 9-0 corner count and 555 passes to Austria’s 275 reflected a game played largely on Spanish terms.
Austria tried to change the tone in the second half, introducing Saša Kalajdžić and Marko Arnautović in the 60th minute, and Kalajdžić headed over seconds later. But Spain killed the comeback idea in the 66th minute, when Baena crossed for Pedro Porro to head in from close range for his first international goal.
Spain advances as Austria exits without a shot on target
After Posch received Austria’s only yellow card in the 83rd minute, Spain kept finding gaps. Yamal had an effort cleared off the line by David Alaba before Cucurella again supplied Oyarzabal in the 89th minute for the final 3-0.
The win sends Spain into the next round to face the winner of Portugal against Croatia. Austria, despite 5 total shots, leave the World Cup after failing to register a single effort on target.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Round of 32. Date & Time: Thursday 2 July 2026, 21:00 CET. Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. Referee: Glenn Nyberg, Sweden.
