Yamal Kept Quiet As Spain Advance To WC Las…

Photo by Pablo Garcia/Soccrates/Getty Images

Spain advanced to the Last 16 of the FIFA World Cup after defeating Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.

Fixture: Spain v Austria
Score: 3-0
Goalscorers: Oyarzabal (36′, 89), Porro (66′)

La Roja came into the clash on the back of wins over Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, while Austria’s 3-3 draw against Algeria was enough to seal their spot knockout stages for the first time in their history.

The Spanish dominated possession as expected in the early stages but Austria were no pushovers and provided a real threat on the counter attack, with striker Michael Gregoritsch proving to be a handful for the opposition defence with his movement in and around the box.

Spain had the ball in the back of the net after 28 minutes when Marc Cucurella pounced on a loose ball and volleyed home from close-range, however the celebrations were cut short as Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was fouled while trying to collect the corner.

The European champions eventually got their reward eight minutes before the halftime break when Cucurella did well to pick out an unmarked Mikel Oyarzabal, who calmly slotted home with a first-time finish to take his World Cup tally to three goals in four matches.

The Austrians came out for the second period a little more livelier, especially after the introduction of Marko Arnautovic in the attack, as Sasa Kalajdzic was presented with their biggest opening on the hour mark but he headed over the crossbar from six-yards out.

Austria were made to rue that miss as Spain doubled their lead six minutes later when the lively Alex Baena continued his forays down the left flank, although this time he managed to find Pedro Porro, who popped up in the box to send a powerful header into the back of the net for his first international goal.

Ralf Rangnick’s charges were by no means out of the contest as they remained a big threat in the air as Stefan Posch got on the end of Marcel Sabitzer’s cross at the far post, but sent his header wide of the upright, much to the frustration of the technical bench.

Spain, meanwhile, were happy to pass the ball around in the closing stages of the second half, with the supporters SoFi Stadium chanting ole with every pass although they able to add to their tally with two minutes left on the clock through Oyarzabal, who calmly slotted home from close range after getting on the end of Cucurella’s superb cross.

Key Performers:

Oyarzabal starred on the day with two well-taken goals for Spain, while Cucurella and Beana were the chief destroyers down the left flank, with both players picking up assists.

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