Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace allows the European champions to dominate Austria and move on to the round of 16.Published On 2 Jul 20262 Jul 2026Spain coasted past Austria and into the FIFA World Cup last 16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win, with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.The European champions controlled possession and sliced through the Austrian defence in a typically dominant performance in Los Angeles, as Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem and singer Rosalia cheered on.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe win, which could have been by a greater margin – with a disallowed goal and a free kick off the woodwork – sets up a tantalising round-of-16 clash with either Portugal or Croatia.“I’m happy to help the team and get through to the next round. Now we need to rest,” said Oyarzabal directly after full-time.“They were a physical side and difficult to play against, but we played a good match. We’re happy to qualify,” he added.As to whether he would prefer Portugal or Croatia in Monday’s last-16 match-up, Oyarzabal remarked: “It doesn’t matter who we face in the next round; I have friends in both teams.”Oyarzabal sets the toneLos Angeles Stadium was a sea of red and excitement over the first visit by a bona fide World Cup favourite to the US’s second city.Spain ratcheted up the pressure gradually through the first half, creating a string of chances after the first hydration break.Marc Cucurella thought he had scored from a Lamine Yamal corner, but Pau Cubarsi was judged to have encroached on Austria’s goalkeeper.Alexander Schlager then made a superb diving save, pushing Oyarzabal’s …
