Spain secured a 3-0 victory over Austria, advancing to the last 16 of the World Cup. They are now set to face either Portugal or Croatia in the next round.
The match saw Mikel Oyarzabal score two goals, with Pedro Porro adding another. Coach Luis de la Fuente described the performance as “Almost perfect,” highlighting the team’s return to a familiar style of play.
Dominant Performance and Defensive Strength
Spain maintained a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive game, a record for the team. Unai Simón surpassed Iker Casillas’s 2010 title-winning record in this regard. The central defensive partnership of Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte has been noted for its strong performance throughout the tournament.
The team demonstrated significant possession, holding 64% and registering 10 shots on target out of 23 attempts. Full-backs Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro were particularly active, contributing to the team’s attacking play. De la Fuente commented that “Big teams turn up when they’re needed,” reflecting on the team’s decisive performance.
Austria’s coach, Ralf Rangnick, acknowledged Spain’s quality, stating, “We were in it until the 2-0, but our opponents are special and it’s hard over 90 minutes.”
Key Moments and Goal Scorers
The game began with early action, including a shot from Lamine Yamal after 59 seconds. Despite Austria’s high press, Spain found space to play, moving the ball quickly and stretching the pitch. Early chances for Spain included a volley from Dani Olmo and a header from Aymeric Laporte.
Austria also had an opportunity when Konrad Laimer created a chance, leading to a cross from Marcel Sabitzer that nearly found Michael Gregoritsch. However, Spain soon took control.
A goal from Marc Cucurella was disallowed after Cubarsí was deemed too close to the goalkeeper. Spain continued to press, with Lamine Yamal making a strong run that forced a save from Alex Schlager. Oyarzabal then had a low shot saved by Schlager.
The breakthrough came after 36 minutes when Pedri found Cucurella, whose delivery was converted by Mikel Oyarzabal. Austria attempted to respond, but Spain’s defensive commitment, with players like Porro, Rodri, and Olmo making crucial recoveries, thwarted their efforts.
A free-kick from Álex Baena hit the crossbar, and Lamine Yamal’s subsequent attempt was saved by Schlager. In the second half, Pedro Porro headed in a goal, and Mikel Oyarzabal completed his brace with a goal that started with Unai Simón, concluding a well-executed team move.
Player Ratings and Recognition
Following the match, Lamine Yamal received the highest average rating of 7.97, making him the player of the match. Other highly-rated Spain players included Pedro Porro with 7.75, Mikel Oyarzabal with 7.74, Marc Cucurella with 7.18, and Pedri with 7.13.
Rodri received an average rating of 6.96, while Dani Olmo was rated 6.95. Álex Baena had a rating of 6.93, and goalkeeper Unai Simón received 6.53. Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, and Aymeric Laporte also contributed to Spain’s performance.
The match concluded with Spain securing their place in the next stage of the World Cup.
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Source: theguardian.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”