INGLEWOOD, CA — Spain entered the World Cup as one of the favorites to win it all, but the team underwhelmed in the group stage and faces a tricky matchup against Austria in the round of 32 on Thursday, July 2 at SoFi Stadium in Southern California.
Held to a shocking draw by Cape Verde in its opener, Spain bounced back to beat Saudi Arabia and then edged Uruguay in the finale to finish on top of Group H. But La Roja acknowledges that it hasn’t been at its best and welcomes the pressure of the knockouts.
“I love that it is demanded of us, because a lot is expected of us and what we have to do is respond to that expectation,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
Austria finished runner-up in its group behind Argentina on four points, in the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.
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It feels like its 5-0, but Spain is just up one goal after a first half that was dominated by La Roja. It had possession for roughly 64% of the time, with a whopping 11 shots, six of which were on goal. Austria got two shots in but hasn’t gotten a clean look. Despite how bad of a start, it is just one shot away from tying it up.
Mikel Oyarzabal has the score for Spain, while Lamine Yamal looks in top form as he has come close to extending the lead.
Austria avoids a disasterous end to the half as two great looks from Spain just miss. The first came off a free kick from Alex Baena, which hit the crossbar.
A few seconds later, the ball is placed right in front of Lamine Yamal for a golden opportunity. However, Alexander Schlager somehow denies the shot and Spain is left wondering how it didn’t score again.
There will be four minutes added to the clock as Spain looks to add another goal before halftime.
Finally, Spain is on the board! Another threat finally succeeds, with leading scorer Mikel Oyarzabal the man behind it. He is on the receiving end of a perfect pass from Marc Cucurella, and Oyarzabal has no trouble getting it through to give Spain a 1-0 lead.
It’s Oyarzabal’s third goal of the tournament.
Spain is stepping on the gas pedal and Austria is barely hanging on. Mikel Oyarzabal somehow was able to drill a shot that Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager is just able to get a hand on. A few minutes later, Lamine Yamal is all by himself in front of the goalie but his shot sails just over the crossbar, and he is in disbelief at the miss.
Spain looked like it finally broke through when Marc Cucurella’s header found the back of the net, but as the celebration began, referee Glenn Nyberg waved it off.
Replay appeared to show Spain caused goalie interference, and after replay assistance confirmed it, the score was wiped away and it remains 0-0, much to the frustration of Spain.
The first quarter of the match is through and while it remains scoreless, Spain is continously hunting for the first goal. Austria has been playing on defense the majority of the contest.
The stars are out early.
James Corden, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem and Jayden Daniels were among the celebrities at Spain-Austria. Cruz and Bardem are Spanish while Daniels grew up in the area. Corden, of course, is part of Fox’s tournament coverage, hosting the “After Hours” show.
It’s been all Spain through the first 10 minutes of action, with the ball spending most of the time on the Austria side of the field. Spain is getting looks with three shot attempts already.
The Spanish star looks to be already in a flow, taking the ball nearly the length of the field down for the first shot of the game. It goes directly to Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, but Spain is already generating chances.
We are underway from SoFi Stadium with Spain starting the day with the ball.
The matchup kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET.
The round of 32 match is being held at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Seth Vertelney: Spain 1-0 Austria
There are big questions surrounding this Spain side after the group stage, but it still has too much quality for an Austria side that could put up a decent battle.
Jon Arnold: Spain 2-0 Austria
Despite struggles in the group stage, Spain starts to whir into gear against an Austria team that, despite its three goals last game, hasn’t shown it can mount any real attack and has shown it struggles against teams that can pass.
Jesse Yomtov: Spain 1-0 Austria
Spain hasn’t been jaw-droppingly good in this tournament, but it doesn’t matter as long as they win and advance.
Victoria Hernandez: Spain 2-0 Austria
Spain has underwhelmed, but with the tournament turning into win-or-go-home scenarios, they step up to the occasion.
Yes, Yamal is starting the round of 32 matchup.
Spain will have its young star in Yamal is in the starting XI.
- Unai Simón (goalkeeper), Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodrigo, Olmo, Pedri, Laime Yamal, Alex Baena, Oyarzabal
Full rosters for 2026 World Cup teams
- Referee: Glenn Nyberg
- Assistant Referees: Mahbod Beigi, Andreas Soderkvist
- 4th official: Dahane Beida
- Reserve assistant referee: Elvis Noupue
Spain won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the country’s first and only championship.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal is 18 years old – turning 19 on July 13.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said stopping the Spain winger from showcasing his talent will be one of his side’s top priorities in the World Cup round of 32. Spain have eased the 18-year-old back into action after he tore a hamstring in April, limiting him to 141 minutes over the three group games, during which he scored once.
“Lamine Yamal is an excellent player, and he will be for the next 12, 13 or 14 years, maybe even longer,” Rangnick told reporters on Wednesday. “If he stays healthy and keeps a straight head on his shoulders, he can play a lot of matches.
“He is one of the players we will watch very closely tomorrow, not to give him a lot of room or too many opportunities to start his dribbling actions. He is a player that all football fans, no matter where they are from, love to watch. But it is our task tomorrow to let him have the ball as little as possible.”
– Reuters
The Spain-Austria match kicks off at 12 p.m. Pacific Time.
The round of 32 winner will advance to the round of 16 to face the winner of Portugal and Croatia on July 6 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That matches takes place later in the day.
Austria captain David Alaba, who spent five seasons with Real Madrid, said the team is well aware of the quality Spain have at their disposal.
“They play very attractive football. They have enormous quality and individual players that can make a difference,” Alaba said. “But we don’t want to hide. We really want to play forward and try to be successful.”
– Reuters
Austria scored six goals in three group-stage matches, one more than Spain, but coach Ralf Rangnick acknowledged his side would need to raise their level against a team unbeaten in 34 matches stretching back to March 2023.
– Reuters
In its first World Cup since 1998, Austria has advanced to the knockout round since 1978. It’s best finish came in 1954 when it finished in third place. In 1934, Austria was fourth place.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said it’s understandable his nation’s fans may be less than impressed.
“It would be strange if they didn’t make any demands from us,” de la Fuente said via an interpreter. “But we are very self-demanding. We like to compete. We are sportsmen and we love to improve day by day.”
– Reuters
It’s looking like a Spanish home game as Spain kits are the dominant kit worn inside the stadium. There is a small contingent of Austria fans making some noise, but it looks to be a La Roja takeover.
It’s been a clean sheet so far for Spain, yet to give up a goal in the tournament. It joins Mexico as the only teams yet to concede a score so far.
Explore the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
