Spain arrived at the knockout stage carrying the weight of expectation. They left Inglewood looking every bit like a team capable of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A clinical 3-0 victory over Austria on Thursday not only secured Spain’s place in the Round of 16 but also showcased the complete package assembled by head coach Luis de la Fuente—a side that combines attacking quality with perhaps the tournament’s most disciplined defence.
The headline belonged to Mikel Oyarzabal.
The Real Sociedad forward struck either side of Pedro Porro’s first international goal to guide Spain to their first World Cup knockout victory since the historic triumph over the Netherlands in Johannesburg on July 11, 2010. The result also extended Spain’s unbeaten streak to 34 matches in all competitions, further reinforcing their credentials as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 36th minute after Spain’s relentless pressure finally broke Austria’s resistance. Porro’s powerful header midway through the second half effectively ended the contest before Oyarzabal completed his brace in the 89th minute to crown another outstanding individual display.
While Oyarzabal provided the finishing touch, Spain’s dominance was built on collective excellence. Lamine Yamal remained a constant threat despite not finding the scoresheet, Marc Cucurella influenced the match from left-back with two assists, and Rodri dictated possession from midfield as Austria struggled to gain any sustained control.
Perhaps the most striking statistic came at the opposite end of the pitch. Austria failed to register a single shot on target, highlighting the defensive organisation that has become a hallmark of De la Fuente’s side. Spain remain without conceding a goal at the tournament, with their blend of pressing, positional discipline and ball retention leaving opponents with few opportunities to attack.
The victory also erased several painful memories for Spanish supporters. Before Thursday, La Roja had not won a World Cup knockout fixture since lifting the trophy in 2010 and had not scored in a knockout match since their elimination by Russia in 2018. Those droughts are now firmly behind them.
Spain will now meet either Portugal or Croatia in the Round of 16, a contest that promises to provide their sternest examination yet. Should they maintain the level of control, defensive resilience and attacking efficiency displayed against Austria, the 2010 champions will believe a second World Cup title is well within reach.
For Oyarzabal, the tournament continues to be a personal breakthrough. The forward now boasts three goals and one assist in his first four World Cup appearances and has amassed 16 goals and six assists across his last 17 international matches, numbers that place him among the world’s most in-form forwards heading into the decisive stages of the competition.