Spain clinched an impressive 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday to book their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain continued their unbeaten run without conceding a single goal in the tournament.
After opening their campaign with a draw against Cape Verde, Spain have looked increasingly dominant. Austria struggled to cope with Spain’s attack and solid defence in the match played under sunny skies in Southern California.
While Spain’s attack, led by teenage star Lamine Yamal, has grabbed most of the attention, their defence has been equally outstanding.
Austria failed to register a single shot on target, making Spain the first team since Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina to keep an opponent without a shot on target in a World Cup knockout match.
Spain will now face Portugal in the Round of 16.
Spain started on the front foot, with Yamal causing constant problems for the Austrian defence. They thought they had taken an early lead when Marc Cucurella scored from close range, but the goal was ruled out after a foul on goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
The breakthrough finally came when Cucurella delivered a pinpoint cross into the box and Oyarzabal guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Schlager kept Austria in the contest before half-time with two excellent saves, preventing Spain from extending their lead.
Austria’s best chance came after the break when Sasa Kalajdzic headed a cross towards goal, but the effort landed on top of the net.
Austria, who had reached the knockout stage after a dramatic late equaliser against Algeria, found it difficult to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Spanish side.
Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in the 66th minute with a close-range header in front of a packed crowd that included Spanish actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory in the 89th minute, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament after Austria’s defence failed to clear the danger.
Spain, who won the World Cup in 2010, looked full of confidence, and 18-year-old Yamal appeared to be back to his best after recovering from the hamstring injury that troubled him earlier in the tournament.
