World Cup 2026: Spain beats Austria, wins a place in the round of 16

Spain advance to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro’s first goal for his country secured a convincing victory over Austria in Los Angeles.

Spain’s success was their first in the World Cup knockout stages since their triumph in South Africa in 2010 – and the reward is a round of 16 draw in Dallas on July 6 against the winners of the Portugal-Croatia match.

Lamine Yamal immediately set the tone with a shot on target in the first minute and the threat from the European champions grew as the half wore on. Marc Cucurella thought he had given Spain the lead from a corner, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

Oyarzabal broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, when Cucurella fed a low ball from the left and the Basque striker deflected a first-time shot into the corner for his third goal of these finals.

La Roja were close to doubling their lead before half-time when Alex Baena’s free-kick hit the crossbar and Yamal forced another save from Schlager in the next period.

Austria substitute Sasa Kalajdzic had his best chance a minute after coming on in the 30th minute, but failed to keep out his header from Marcel Sabitzer’s cross.

Instead, a header at the other end ensured Spain’s passage, with Baena crossing from the left and Pedro Porro arriving with a header.

After David Alaba had blocked a Yamal shot off the line, Spain got a third goal to reflect their superiority as Oyarzabal slipped his second from another Cucurella cross.