Spain beats Austria 3-0 to reach World Cup last 16, Oyarzabal scores twice
Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles to advance to the World Cup round of 16, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Marc Cucurella providing two assists.
Spain's early dominance
Spain took control from the opening whistle at Los Angeles, pinning Austria back and creating chances. Lamine Yamal tested Alexander Schlager early, and Dani Olmo had a shot blocked. Austria's best moment came when Michael Gregoritsch narrowly missed a header from Marcel Sabitzer's cross. Spain thought they had scored in the 29th minute when Marc Cucurella found the net, but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Pau Cubarsí on Schlager.
Oyarzabal breaks the deadlock
The pressure paid off in the 36th minute. Cucurella delivered a low cross from the left and Mikel Oyarzabal finished calmly to make it 1-0. Spain nearly doubled the lead before halftime: Alex Baena struck the crossbar with a free-kick, and Schlager saved Yamal's follow-up. The first half ended with Spain firmly in command.
- 29' - Cucurella goal disallowed for foul on Schlager
- 36' - Oyarzabal scores after Cucurella assist
- 45+2' - Baena free-kick hits crossbar, Yamal follow-up saved
- 66' - Porro heads in Baena's cross for 2-0
- 84' - Alaba clears Yamal's shot off the line
- 89' - Oyarzabal scores his second, Cucurella assist
Second-half control
Spain continued to dictate play after the break. Austria brought on Marko Arnautović and Saša Kalajdžić, but their only threat was a Kalajdžić header that went wide. In the 66th minute, Baena crossed from the left and Pedro Porro headed in to make it 2-0. Yamal was denied a goal in the 84th minute when David Alaba cleared his shot off the line. Oyarzabal completed the scoring in the 89th minute, again assisted by Cucurella, for his fourth goal of the tournament.
What's next
Spain advances to the round of 16, where they will face the winner of Portugal versus Croatia on July 6. The performance underlined Spain's credentials as one of the tournament favourites, with Oyarzabal and Cucurella in outstanding form.
