LOS ANGELES / MENA Newswire / – Spain moved into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, and Pedro Porro added the other goal. The result ended Austria’s campaign in the Round of 32 and extended Spain’s stay in the knockout stage.
Spain will face Portugal after defeating Austria in the World Cup knockout stage. (Credit – FIFA)
Spain took control of the match through steady pressure and clean passing in the first half. Austria held out for more than half an hour before Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 36th minute. The forward found space in the area and gave Spain a lead that reflected its edge in possession and chances.
Marc Cucurella also put the ball in the net before halftime, but officials ruled out the goal. Spain still carried the match after the break and kept Austria from creating clear chances. Unai Simon did not face a shot on target as Spain’s back line stayed compact and organized.
Oyarzabal brace lifts Spain
Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in the 66th minute with a header that gave Austria a larger gap to chase. The goal came after Spain continued to work the ball into wide areas and test Austria’s defense. Austria tried to reset through substitutions, but Spain kept the match under control.
Oyarzabal completed the scoring in the 89th minute with his second goal of the match. The finish sealed a clear victory and gave Spain its first World Cup knockout win since its 2010 title run. Luis de la Fuente’s team also continued its tournament run without conceding a goal.
Portugal awaits in last 16
The win set up a Round of 16 meeting with Portugal, which advanced after a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto. Goncalo Ramos scored in stoppage time for Portugal after Croatia had taken the lead. Spain and Portugal will now meet in a knockout match between two European sides with recent major-tournament success.
Austria left the FIFA World Cup 2026 after reaching the knockout rounds from its group. Spain, led by Oyarzabal’s finishing and a disciplined defense, advanced with one of its strongest results of the tournament. The 3-0 scoreline gave Spain a clean passage from the Round of 32 into the next stage.
