Spain produced their most complete performance of the 2026 World Cup so far, beating Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium to book a place in the Round of 16.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added his first international goal as Spain extended their unbeaten run and maintained a fourth successive clean sheet at the tournament.
The result ended a long wait for Spain, whose last World Cup knockout victory in regular or extra time came in the 2010 final, when Andres Iniesta scored the extra-time winner against the Netherlands.
Since lifting the World Cup in South Africa, Spain had suffered a group-stage exit in Brazil in 2014, before being eliminated on penalties by Russia in the Round of 16 in 2018 and by Morocco at the same stage in 2022.
Against Austria, Spain were in control for long periods. Luis de la Fuente’s side had 65% possession and restricted Austria to limited opportunities, with goalkeeper Unai Simon rarely tested.
Spain started brightly, with Lamine Yamal causing problems for the Austrian defence. Marc Cucurella thought he had given Spain the lead early in the match, but his effort was ruled out after the referee judged that goalkeeper Alexander Schlager had been fouled.
Austria held on for much of the first half, with Schlager making several saves to deny Yamal and Oyarzabal. Aymeric Laporte also went close from a series of corners, while Alex Baena struck the crossbar with a free-kick shortly before the interval.
Spain’s pressure finally produced a goal in the 36th minute. Cucurella found Oyarzabal inside the area and the Real Sociedad forward finished calmly past Schlager.
Austria introduced Sasa Kalajdzic at half-time in an effort to offer more of a threat in attack. The substitute came close with a header that drifted over the crossbar, but Austria struggled to sustain pressure against Spain’s defence.
Spain doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Baena delivered a cross into the area and Porro rose highest to head home. It was the Tottenham Hotspur defender’s first goal for Spain.
The second goal effectively ended Austria’s hopes of a comeback. Spain continued to dominate possession, while Yamal was denied a goal after David Alaba made a clearance from the goal line.
Oyarzabal sealed the result in the closing stages, finishing another move created by Cucurella to score his second goal of the match and his fourth of the tournament.
“I don’t know who I’d prefer to play, I haven’t planned for each team,” Oyarzabal said after the match. “Bring them on.”
Spain’s defensive record has been one of the major features of their campaign. They have not conceded a goal in four matches and did not allow Austria a shot on target.
Spain became the first team since Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina to prevent an opponent from registering a shot on target in a World Cup knockout match.
The match also marked a notable moment for Spain’s younger generation. Barcelona teenagers Yamal and Pau Cubarsi started together, becoming the first under-20 pair to begin a World Cup knockout match for the same country since Pele and Jose Altafini started for Brazil in 1958.
Yamal, who had been managing a hamstring issue earlier in the tournament, said he was beginning to regain confidence.
“Little by little, I’m starting to feel like myself again,” Yamal said. “Making the runs I need to make, the dribbles — everything.”
Spain will now travel to Dallas for their Round of 16 match on July 6, where they will face either Portugal or Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals.
“The crucial moment is now,” Yamal said. “You can go home if you want, but that’s not what any of us wants, no Spaniard wants that, and we’re going to give it our all. Now it’s time to rest and think about the next match.”
The 18-year-old said his ambition was to help Spain challenge for another World Cup title.
“When a child dreams of playing football, they dream of playing for their national team and in a World Cup,” he said. “So, here I am. I’m thinking about advancing further and fulfilling my dream of winning a World Cup with Spain.”
Austria exited the competition after reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1954.
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