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Spain advanced to the World Cup round of 16 after beating Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles.
Spain were disappointed to see Mark Cucurella’s goal controversially disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper but it was only a temporary reprieve for a spirited Austria side. Mikel Warzabal opened the scoring late in the first half and there was no way back.
Ralf Rangnik tried to pull off the same dramatic trick that earned his side their place in the knockout stages – turning to stoppage-time hero Sasa Kaladzic against Algeria. The tall striker came close to an equalizer but this time headed over the bar.
Spain’s Pedro Porro celebrates his team’s second goal against Austria
Pedro Porro soon doubled the advantage with a header from close range to crush Austria’s hopes of a comeback, and Warzabal sealed a convincing win by converting Cucurella’s cross to send a message to the other World Cup heavyweights.
Spain were a little underwhelming in the group stage, famously drawing with Cape Verde. But Luis de la Fuente’s side are yet to score a single goal in the tournament and his side are now unbeaten in 34 matches over 90 minutes in the competitive international.
At the other end of the pitch Lamine Yamal has shown flashes of his wonderful quality, surely there is more to come. If Spain can be solid at the back, they have the talent to pick apart better teams. It is followed by Portugal or Croatia.
Highlights from Los Angeles…
30 – Denied goals! Cucurella denied ‘fouling’ the goalkeeper.
37 – Goal! Warsaw slotted home to give Spain a deserved lead.
61 – Chance! Kaljdzic comes close to leveling but heads over with his first touch.
66 – Goal! Poro heads home a double advantage from Byner’s cross.
89 – Goal! Warzabal converted his second from Cucurella’s centre.
Analysis: What is Warsaw for Spain?
Alvaro Morata led Spain to victory at Euro 2024 but scored just once in seven games, including six starts. Luis de la Fuente’s side have been a bit more fluent so far this tournament but Warsaw are a very different proposition.
The Real Sociedad forward scored the winner against England off the bench in the 2024 final, of course, and has proven himself a deadly finisher since Morata took over. It was his third and fourth goals in the World Cup. He gave another dimension to Spain.
Warzabal: Happy to help the team
Spain’s top scorer Michael Warzabal:
“I’m happy to help the team and get to the next round. Now we need to rest. They were a physical side and it was difficult to play against them, but we played a good match.
“We’re happy to qualify. It doesn’t matter who we face in the next round – I have friends in both teams.”
From the source: We can do better!
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente:
“We knew it would be an important match, especially in this knockout stage. We kept the previous matches in mind and we were almost perfect in every aspect.
“But there are still some small things to improve. We can always do better. Every match is going to be harder than the last. We have to keep that mentality.”
