Spain won a knockout match at the men’s World Cup for the first time in 16 years as they thrashed Austria in Los Angeles to reach the last 16.
After 36 minutes of gradually increasing pressure, Spain finally took the lead when Marc Cucurella’s low cross was swept home from 12 yards by Mikel Oyarzabal.
They deservedly doubled their lead in the 66th minute when patient build-up ended in right-back Pedro Porro charging into the box to head home Alex Baena’s cross.
And a crushing victory was sealed as Cucurella and Oyarzabal combined again with a minute remaining. The new Real Madrid left-back played a perfect through-ball for the striker to slide home his fourth goal of the tournament.
Having been frustrated for the opening half an hour of the last-32 tie, Spain thought they had the lead when Cucurella smashed home a half-cleared corner, but it was disallowed as Pau Cubarsi was harshly judged to have fouled Austria keeper Alexander Schlager.
Schlager’s heroics prevented Spain from being out of sight by half-time, denying Oyarzabal with a fine low save to his left, shortly before the European champions took the lead.
He then made a brilliant double save, tipping Baena’s free-kick on to the crossbar before blocking Lamine Yamal’s fierce follow-up with his chest.
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However, Spain continued to dominate after the restart to run out comfortable winners.
Austria, playing their first World Cup knockout fixture since 1954, came close when substitute Sasa Kalajdzic headed over with his first touch.
But they rarely threatened further, meaning Spain join Mexico in not conceding a goal in their first four 2026 World Cup matches.
While Austria exit the competition, Spain will face either Portugal or Croatia in the last 16.
That game is scheduled to kick off at 20.00 BST on Monday, 6 July, in Dallas
