Spain 3-0 Austria: Oyarzabal stars as La Roja reach last 16
Spain beat Austria 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 on July 2, as Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added a header at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Luis de la Fuente's European champions advanced to the last 16 and will face Portugal or Croatia next. For readers tracking FIFA news, the result ended a long World Cup knockout drought for La Roja.
Key Takeaways
- Oyarzabal struck in the 36th and 89th minutes; Porro headed home in the 66th at SoFi Stadium.
- Spain earned their first World Cup knockout victory since winning the 2010 final in South Africa.
- Arsenal's Spanish trio of Mikel Merino, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi remain in the squad for the last 16.
- La Roja meet the Portugal-Croatia winner in Dallas on July 6.
- Politico framed the Los Angeles fixture as a modern battle of the Habsburgs.
How did Spain beat Austria 3-0?
Spain controlled the round-of-32 tie from the opening minutes at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Marc Cucurella thought he had opened the scoring from a corner, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
The breakthrough came late in the first half. Cucurella supplied a low ball from the left and Oyarzabal steered a first-time shot into the corner in the 36th minute. Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 66th minute, nodding in from close range after a cross from Alex Baena.
Oyarzabal sealed a convincing victory in the 89th minute, converting another Cucurella centre. The Real Sociedad forward took his tournament tally to four goals and said he was happy to help the team reach the next round.
Why does this result break Spain's knockout curse?
Thursday's win mattered beyond the scoreline. Arsenal.com noted that Spain's Spanish trio had helped break a knockout curse, with La Roja securing their first World Cup knockout-stage victory since the 2010 final.
Sky Sports reported that Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England off the bench in the Euro 2024 final, has proven a lethal finisher since usurping Morata. His brace sent a message to other World Cup heavyweights as Spain eased into the last 16.
For more tournament context across sports and innovation, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage hub.
What is the Habsburg angle to this World Cup clash?
Politico described Los Angeles hosting a battle of the Habsburgs, noting that Spain and Austria were once ruled by members of the same dynasty. For centuries, the Germanic clan accumulated territories across Europe through dynastic intermarriage.
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ruled Spain, Austria and other realms between 1519 and 1556. Ahead of kick-off, fans in both countries evoked that shared heritage with memes, and diplomat Eduard Habsburg retweeted a post imagining Charles V learning of the fixture.
Who will Spain face in the World Cup last 16?
Spain's reward is a round-of-16 tie in Dallas on July 6 against the winner of Portugal versus Croatia. Oyarzabal said it does not matter which side advances, though he has friends in both squads.
Full match details and highlights are available via Sky Sports. Austria's World Cup run ended in Inglewood, while Spain carry fresh momentum into the knockout rounds.