Spain sealed their place in the World Cup round-of-16 with a convincing 3-0 win over Austria in Los Angeles on Thursday.
La Roja put in a dominant performance against their European rivals, with goals either side of half-time from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro doing the damage. Oyarzabal then finished the tie and completed his brace in the 89th minute.
Spain will now await the winners of Croatia and Portugal in the next round, while Austria remain without a major tournament knockout win for 72 years.
Spain vs Austria analysis
Mikel Oyarzabal silences critics
There is a concept in life that two things can be true at once. And that can be perfectly applied to Mikel Oyarzabal.
The Real Sociedad forward has led the line for Spain with distinction for some time now, proving a reliable focal point and helping his nation win a European Championship and reach two Uefa Nations League finals. His excellent pre-tournament form was touted by many as a reason why Spain can go far in this World Cup.
And yet, there is also no shortage of critics who believe Spain lack the elite striker boasted by the likes of France, Argentina, England and others, and that the No.9 spot is their one true weakness. Something teams can exploit to send the European Champions crashing out.
Those critics will be very quiet in the wake of a supreme performance from Oyarzabal to help Spain breeze past Austria.
The 29-year-old showed ultimate composure to sweep home a precision pass from Marc Cucurella in the 36th minute, giving Luis de la Fuente’s side a deserved lead after a first half of sustained pressure. And as the game was winding down, Cucurella once again provided a superb delivery to allow a free-running Oyarzabal to add his second of the night.
Mikel Oyarzabal puts Austria to the sword
That leaves the Basque forward on an incredible 17 goals in his last 16 starts for Spain. And he has 22 goal involvements overall in his last 14 caps. Oyarzabal is now on four World Cup goals for Spain, among the likes of Fernando Torres and Fernando Hierro. Only four players have managed more for La Roja. What’s more, he sits joint-sixth with Hierro overall on the list of Spain’s all-time top scorers — with 29. David Villa is next in his path, on 35.
Oyarzabal’s record at club level is a little more modest. Of course, that’s owing to the fact he has spent a long time playing in wide and No.10 positions.
Is it that, or the fact he’s spent his entire career at Real Sociedad rather than at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, that is the reason he’s so underrated?
Regardless of the answer, Oyarzabal is producing the goods for Spain. And they are very much contenders at this World Cup because of it.
Spain cruising
Perhaps the most terrifying thing about this Spain side is the fact that they don’t appear to have made it out of first gear yet.
That 0-0 draw against Cape Verde to open the tournament was one of the all-time World Cup shocks. But it was born out of a lack of dynamism on the wings without Lamine Yamal or Nico Williams in the starting line-up, while Spain were just far too slow and pedestrian in possession.
Things have improved since then, but they still only did the bare minimum required against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, with their five goals coming from just nine shots on target.
The shot count improved against Austria, but the tempo and manner of performance remained largely the same. Spain dominated the ball and moved it with confidence, but still never quite exploded into the sort of form that swept everybody away at Euro 2024.
“Spain have been outstanding, and the scary thing is that I don’t even think they are in top gear yet,” former England striker Dion Dublin said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Meanwhile, former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger stated on BBC One that Spain still have ‘one or two more gears to go’.
Spain are into the round-of-16 without conceding a goal, while Unai Simon has faced just three shots on target throughout the entire tournament. And they have much more to give? Yes, La Roja are firm contenders, to be counted alongside the likes of France and Argentina.
Austria lose their identity
Of course, one of the reasons why Spain didn’t have to move through the gears on Thursday was because of just how disappointing Austria were.
Das Team were one of the highlights of Euro 2024, with their high-pressing, all-action style capturing the imagination and providing incredible entertainment, even if it culminated in a last-16 exit.
But at this World Cup, they’ve been the polar opposite.
Austria’s possessions won in the attacking third have dropped from 6.0 per match at Euro 2024 to 2.0 per match in this World Cup, while their possessions won in the middle third have fallen from 20.75 to 17.75. Meanwhile, their shots have fallen from 12.75 to 8.0, with their final third passes attempted slipping from 159.25 to 112.5.
Those are just a few key indicators as to how poor Austria have been at this World Cup. Lucky against Jordan and Algeria, off the mark against Argentina, and totally outclassed by Spain.
Ralf Rangnick’s signature style was nowhere to be seen at this World Cup, with Austria going from dark horses to letdowns in record time.
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