Spain 3-0 Austria: Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Tottenham’s Pedro Polo send the European champions into the last 16, where they will face either Portugal or Croatia.
Pedro Polo was one of Spain’s top goalscorers (Image: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Haven’t lost yet. He hasn’t conceded a goal yet.
Spain put in another dominant performance, defeating Austria 3-0 and securing safe passage to the Round of 16. Mikel Oyarzabal scored his third and fourth goals of this World Cup, while Pedro Polo justified his participation and scored his first goal at international level.
In the scorching heat of Los Angeles, cool-headed Spain were no match for Ralf Rangnick’s Austria. The European champions went into the match after an initial hydration break and thought Marc Cucurella had taken the lead before the half-hour mark.
However, the former Chelsea left-back’s goal was canceled out for a casual foul on Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. Fortunately for Spain, they took the lead in the 36th minute when Cucurella turned provider for Oyarzabal.
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The Real Sociedad forward, who will be grudgingly remembered by England fans for scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, is having a successful season at club level, scoring 18 goals and helping the La Liga team win the Copa del Rey. Formerly a winger, Oyarzabal developed into one of the most prolific strikers in international football under coach Luis de la Fuente.
The 29-year-old added to his tally in the California sunshine after making a double appearance in Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the group stage. Schlager was often a source of frustration for de la Fuente’s side, denying Lamine Yamal from close range before the break.
Rangnick had done enough by half-time to make a double change to turn the tide. The former Manchester United caretaker manager immediately opted to bring in two further subs during this time, including veteran Marko Arnautovic.
It didn’t take long for fellow sub Sasa Kalajdzic to be booked, and he used his 6ft 7in frame to fire a header over Unai Simon’s crossbar. In addition to the clean sheet, Simon also kept a clean sheet for 518 minutes at the World Cup, breaking a record that had stood for 36 years.
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Mikel Oyarzabal broke the deadlock with his third goal of the tournament (Image: Pablo Garcia/Soccrates/Getty Images)
As Austria continued to attack, Spain was able to exploit the space at the back. After a patient build-up, La Roja made their opponents pay as Alex Baena found Polo as he entered the penalty area.
Tottenham’s right-back had a simple job: finish the game and go home. Is it a coincidence that Polo started both of Spain’s victories?
Oyarzabal had time to get on the scoresheet again thanks to an assist from Cucurella. That made his day a little easier to swallow after his canceled goal. Spain will play next Monday against the winner of Portugal’s match against Croatia in the early hours of Friday morning.
Regardless of who joins them in Dallas, it should be a mouth-watering Round of 16 draw. For Austria, it’s home time after a decent showing in North America.
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