Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain booked their place in the World Cup round of 16 with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Austria at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, stretching their unbeaten run to 34 matches.
After a group-stage campaign that included an unexpected draw against Cape Verde, Spain rediscovered their rhythm and will now face either Portugal or Croatia in Monday’s last-16 clash in Arlington, Texas.
The victory also ended a long wait for a World Cup knockout triumph. Spain had not won a knockout match at the tournament since defeating the Netherlands in the 2010 final, having suffered a group-stage elimination in 2014 and first-round exits in the following two editions.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 34th minute, applying a composed first-time finish after a slick passing move involving Pedri and Marc Cucurella.
The Real Sociedad forward struck again late in the game, calmly converting another inviting cross from Cucurella to seal a convincing Spanish performance.
His brace took his tournament tally to four goals, while he has now scored 17 times in his last 16 appearances for Spain. With 29 international goals, Oyarzabal is now level with Fernando Hierro in sixth place on Spain’s all-time scoring chart.
Between Oyarzabal’s goals, defender Pedro Porro netted his first international goal, heading home from an Álex Baena delivery midway through the second half.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was again central to Spain’s attacking play, dazzling the crowd of more than 70,000 with several dangerous runs and creative moments, particularly before the break.
The Barcelona winger came close to adding his name to the scoresheet in the closing stages, but Austria captain David Alaba cleared his effort off the line.
Yamal and fellow Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsí also made history by becoming the first pair of teenagers to start a World Cup knockout match for the same team since Brazil’s Pelé and José Altafini achieved the feat against Wales at the 1958 tournament.
At the other end, Pau Cubarsí helped anchor a Spain defence that remains unbreached at this year’s World Cup, while goalkeeper Unai Simón recorded his fourth successive clean sheet.
