Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal (21) celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Austria with teammates Gavi (9) and Marc Cucurella during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Spain vs Austria World Cup 2026 Match Highlights: Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace while Pedro Porro chipped in with a lone strike as Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in their Round of 32 encounter at the Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday night.
Oyarzabal’s 36th and 89th minute strikes helped him get to 4 goals in this World Cup, firmly keeping him in conversation of the Golden Boot race. Spain could have got even more but Austria Alexander Schlager made some important saves to keep Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena out in the 1st half.
David Alaba also made a goal line clearance in the second half to keep Yamal out but by the, Spain had already gone too far ahead. They will now wait and see who they face in the Round of 16 with one of Portugal and Croatia set for a date with destiny.
FOLLOW SPAIN VS AUSTRIA FIFA WORLD CUP RO32 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW
And that's that for this match. It was never a contest as Spain absolutely played Austria out of the park, especially in the second half. If this persists, it's a very scary proposition for all the other challengers for the throne.
FT: ESP 3-0 AUT
6 added minutes now. Spain with 2 more changes now as Laoprte and Pedi go off and Pubill and Ruiz come on. Spain are looking to close things out here and they have bought on a back to back UCL winner from the bench in Ruiz. Scary depth in this team.
ESP 3-0 AUT
AAAND THAT'S THREEEE!! IT'S LIKE A VIDEO GAME AT THE MOMENT!! Spain keep knocking the ball around before Cucurella finds Oyarzabal with a brilliant cross to take out three Austrian defenders as Oyarzabal latches on to the ball and finished with ease. That's his fourth of the tournament and he is firmly in the race for the golden boot now.
ESP 3-0 AUT
Spain keeping possession now as they are making Austria work for the ball. And in a blink of an eye, they have breached the Austrian defence except the last man. Torres finds Yamal with a bit of space in the middle and she shoots but that's a great goal-line clearance from Alaba. That was Yamal's last chance of the match as he makes way for Gavi.
ESP 2-0 AUT
Good passage of play from Austria as Chukwuemeka plays a one-two with Arnautovic who lays it off nicely with a backheel for the Dortmund player but his shot is well wide.
ESP 2-0 AUT
It's a corner for Spain now as Danso takes a bit too long to clear the ball before it crossed the line. Yamal to tak. Curled in and Ferran Torres arrives late in the far post and heads over.
ESP 2-0 AUT
A foul for Austria now as tempers flare between the two teams as Spain deny Austrians a quick free kick. Referee has a word with the two captains and we are ready to resume.
ESP 2-0 AUT
Olmo and Baena are off and Torres and Merino are on for Spain as the stars keep on coming from the Spanish bench. Torres almost finds a way through for a cross like Baena's but it's blocked this time.
ESP 2-0 AUT
WOW!! Spain are relentless here. Olmo lost the ball on the edge of the box but before Austria could clear Cucurella takes it back. He is caught on the ball but manages to find Baena on the left side who puts in an excellent cross and Pedro Porro out of nowhere appears in the Austria box and finishes with a bullet header!!
ESP 2-0 AUT
And there's a coming together between Simon and Arnautovic as the Spanish goalie flew out of his line and heads the ball but has crashed into the chasing Austrian striker.
ESP 1-0 AUT
Marko Arnautovic and Saša Kalajdžić has been brought in now and the sub almost scored!! Sabitzer with a cross and Kalajdžić gets a head to it but it's just over!!!
ESP 1-0 AUT
Spain with all the ball now but they can't give the finishing touches to their relentless attacks. Austria finally break away but Laimer's cross is gobble up by Simon who has precious little to do this match.
ESP 1-0 AUT
Baena with a flat corner now and that has reached Oyarzabal whose header goes over the bar. It looked as though the ball was meant for Olmo behind him but Oyarzabal's instincts kicked in.
ESP 1-0 AUT
Short free kick taken now as Lamine Yamal goes this way and that but gives away a free kick. Spain get it back though and Oyarzabal with a left-footed attempt which is easily saved. Yamal was practically begging for a pass on the right side.
ESP 1-0 AUT
We are back for the second half amnd Austria have made 2 changes with Carney Chukwuemeka on for Nicolas Seiwald and Florian Grillitsch for Xaver Schlager.
Just 4 minutes were added in this half. And that has gone by like the wind. Schlager has been in top form to deny Spain and Yamal time and again. Spain haven't been as sharp as you want them to as they go to half time with their slender 1-0 lead.
HT: ESP 1-0 AUT
Foul right at the edge of the Austria box as Baena's run is obstructed unfairly. Baena has a crack at it and it rattles the cross bar!!! After the ball lands, Yamal, lurking near the goal slams the ball straight into the stomach of Schlager !!!
ESP 1-0 AUT
Austria get a glimmer of a chance but Posch takes too much time on the ball and Rodri comes from behind and picks his pockets. Austria need to at least work the keeper from there.
ESP 1-0 AUT
Spain is on the front foot now, giving no respite to the Austrian defence. Another corner now. Baena swings one in but that's cleared away.
ESP 1-0 AUT
WHAT A GOAL!!!! Austria just stood like statues. Cucurella gets the ball in the left hand side and aims for the penalty spot and Oyarzabal with a calm finish with the side foot!!! That's his 3rd goal in the tournament.
ESP 1-0 AUT
WHAT A SKILL BY YAMAL!! He dances around the defender and manages to cross the ball while hugging the goal line. The ball falls to Oyarzabal and his stinging shot has been parried by the goalie Schlager!! How did he keep that out?
ESP 0-0 AUT
Huge chance for Spain as Olmo takes Pedri's delivery on the turn which is cleared for a corner!! Yamal takes it and THAT'S A GOAL!!!! Cucurella gets the ball at the edge of the box and slams it into the net. But it's not going to count!!! VAR has adjudged a foul on the keeper by Cubarsi.
ESP 0-0 AUT
Back from the hydration break. Let's see for which team the momentum swings. Porro gets the ball from Yamal in the right flank and makes a meal of it with a cross that goes over everyone.
ESP 0-0 AUT
Yamal with a little bit of magic to skip away from Laimer but Sabitzer with the covering challenge to clear the ball away. Austria are doing pretty well out of possession to keep Spain limited to juts outside their box.
ESP 0-0 AUT
Oyarzabal has been dumped into the ground now by Alaba as Spain get a free kick. Played short and there's another foul but this time Austria take the ball away. GREAT CROSS BY SABITZER AND THAT' JUST OVER THE HEAD OF Gregoritsch!!!
ESP 0-0 AUT
Olmo is fouled at an advanced position and Spain take a quick free kick to set Yamal free. He is dispossessed by Laimar. Spain get another corner. It's cleared but Spain still retain possession but do nothing with it.
ESP 0-0 AUT
Uffff, Pedro Porro with a great cross which is met by Olmo on the first time with a volley but it's blocked. Spain get another corner. Baena with the corner but that's over the bar for another corner. Oh wait, VAR has stepped in and ruled it's a goal kick.
ESP 0-0 AUT
Spain are trying to break away but Austria have done well to take the ball back and go at the Spaniards on the counter. But Cubarsi with an important clearance to deny Gregoritsch. Spain, meanwhile, get a corner. And it's cleared.
ESP 0-0 AUT
Austria on the front foot as Gregoritsch looks for a cross but is cut short and Spain can break with Yamal. Yamal with a shot but it lacks the power to trouble the keeper.
ESP 0-0 AUT
All the pre-match formalities are done and we are ready for live action. Spain in their familiar red and Austria in white. Spain will kick us away.
Here come the two teams and they have lined up across the centre circles with both countries' flags flanking them on each side. Spain's first, followed by Austria's.
July 10: Paraguay/France vs Canada/Morocco at 1.30 AM
July 11: TBD vs TBD at 12.30 AM
July 12: Brazil/Norway vs Mexico/England at 2.30 AM
July 12: TBD vs TBD at 6.30 AM
All eyes will once again be on Lamine Yamal who has yet to set the tournament on fire, having scored just once and providing 0 assists. Spain will be looking at him to replicate his Euro 2024 form and they will hope he starts firing vs Austria tonight.
Kylian Mbappé (France) – 6 goals
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 6 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway) – 5 goals
Harry Kane (England) – 5 goals
Spain have made 2 changes from their last match vs Uruguay with Pedro Porro and Dani Olmo coming in for Marcos Llorente and Mikel Merino respectively. Austria, meanwhile, have made 3 changes with Michael Gregoritsch coming in for Marko Arnautovic while Kevin Danso replaces Philipp Lienhart. Paul Wanner also comes in at midfield.
1930: Did not enter
1934: Fourth Place
1938: Withdrew
1950: Withdrew
1954: Third Place
1958: Group Stage
1962: Withdrew
1966: Did not qualify
1970: Did not qualify
1974: Did not qualify
1978: Quarterfinals
1982: Second Round
1986: Did not qualify
1990: Group Stage
1994: Did not qualify
1998: Group Stage
2002: Did not qualify
2006: Did not qualify
2010: Did not qualify
2014: Did not qualify
2018: Did not qualify
2022: Did not qualify
1930: Did not enter
1934: Quarterfinals
1938: Rejected by FIFA
1950: 4th place
1954: Did not qualify
1958: Did not qualify
1962: Group Stage
1966: Group Stage
1970: Did not qualify
1974: Did not qualify
1978: Group Stage
1982: Second Group Stage
1986: Quarterfinals
1990: Round of 16
1994: Quarterfinals
1998: Group Stage
2002: Quarterfinals
2006: Round of 16
2010: CHAMPIONS
2014: Group Stage
2018: Round of 16
2022: Round of 16
Spain: Raya, Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, Torres, Pino, Williams, Munoz, Iglesias
Austria: Wiegele, Pentz, Affengruber, Lienhart, Mwene, Friedl, Svoboda, Grillitsch, Chukwuemeka, Ljubicic, Prass, Schoepf, Arnautovic, Kalajdzic, Wimmer
Spain: Simon, Porro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella, Baena, Rodri, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Oyarzabal
Austria: Schlager, Danso, Posch, Alaba, Schlager, Seiwald, Sabitzer, Schmid, Laimer, Wanner, Gregoritsch
This match between Spain and Austria is only the second time these two sides are meeting in a World Cup. The first match happened all the way in 1978 where Walter Schachner and Hans Krankl scored to help Austria win 2-1. Dani scored Spain's lone goal.
From R032: South Africa, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo, Senegal, Bosnia and Herzegovina
From Group Stage: Czechia, Qatar, Haiti, Türkiye, Curaçao, Tunisia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Panama, Iran, South Korea, Scotland, Uruguay
Erich Probst: 6 goals
Hans Krankl: 5 goals
Walter Schachner: 3 goals
Ernst Stojaspal: 3 goals
Theodor Wagner: 3 goals
David Villa – 9 goals
Fernando Morientes – 5 goals
Emilio Butragueno – 5 goals
Raul – 5 goals
Fernando Hierro – 5 goals
Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal with 2 goals
Austria: Marko Arnautović with 2 goals
July 7: Portugal/Croatia vs Spain/Austria at 12.30 AM
July 7: Argentina/Cape Verde vs Australia/Egypt at 9.30 PM
July 8: Switzerland/Algeria vs Colombia/Ghana
Spain: D,W,W
Austria: W,L,D
Spain last faced Austria in 2009 which almost feels like a lifetime ago. The La Roja, the 2008 Euro champions at that time, came away with a 5-1 win. Jakob Jantscher was the only Austrian player on the scoresheet while David Villa scored twice for Spain and Cesc Fàbregas, Dani Güiza and Jordi Pablo chipped in with one goal each.
Interestingly, this time also, Spain is coming into this contest vs Austria as the 2024 Euro champions.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
July 3: Spain vs Austria at 12.30 AM
July 3: Portugal vs Croatia at 4.30 AM
July 3: Switzerland vs Algeria at 8.30 AM
July 3: Australia vs Egypt at 11.30 PM
July 4: Argentina vs Cape Verde at 3.30 AM
July 4: Colombia vs Ghana at 7 AM
South Africa 0-1 Canada
Brazil 2-1 Japan
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties)
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Morocco won 3-2 on penalties)
Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
France 3-0 Sweden
Mexico 2--0 Ecuador
England 2-1 Congo
Belgium 3-2 Senegal
USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
If Spain or Austria win tonight, they'll face the winners of Portugal vs Croatia in the RO16. Here are the confirmed matches of the RO16 till now.
July 4: Canada vs Morocco at 10.30 PM IST
July 5: Paraguay vs France at 2.30 AM IST
July 6: Brazil vs Norway at 1.30 AM IST
July 6: Mexico vs England at 5.30 AM IST
July 7: USA vs Belgium at 5.30 AM IST
While Spain look like favourites heading into the RO32 clash against Austria, they'll have their dismal performances in recent knock out fixtures at World Cups since 2010 at the back of their minds. Since they became champions in South Africa, they failed to get out of the group stage in 2014, got knocked out by Russia in 2018 in the Round of 16 and then in 2022, were eliminated by Morocco in the RO16 again.
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Austria 0-2 Argentina
Austria 3-3 Algeria
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Spain 1-0 Uruguay
Matches: 16
Spain wins: 9
Austria wins: 4
Draws: 3
Spain: Simon, Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Merino, Pedri, Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena
Austria: A. Schlager, Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene, X. Schlager, Seiwald, Laimer, Schmid, Sabitzer, Arnautovic
After what feels like ages, 2010 world champions Spain will finally take the field for the RO32 encounter vs Austria on Thursday night. With the clash heavily favouring Spain on paper, recent history is not on their side. The La Roja haven't had the best of lucks when it comes to the knockout rounds since the 2010 edition and with an Austria side, bubbling with confidence after their great 3-3 escape vs Algeria, they are perfectly capable of giving Spain a run for their money.
There is little that could have jolted the Goliath-esque Spain more strongly than being kept at bay by Cape Verde’s veritable David. Coach Luis de la Fuente said as much before the World Cup favourites’ meeting with Saudi Arabia.
“The team is stung and sometimes criticism is motivating. The players do read things, they’re angry, and for sure tomorrow, the game will be very different.”
Six nights after failing to break through Cape Verde’s resistance at the same Atlanta Stadium, La Roja made amends in style. Lamine Yamal’s maiden World Cup start sparked a ruthless 4-0 hammering of their Asian opponents.
