Spain Sweep Past Austria as Pedro Porro Shines on World Cup Stage
Pedro Porro was among Spain’s goalscorers(Image: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain moved into the last 16 of the World Cup in commanding style after brushing aside Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles, extending a remarkable run that now reads: unbeaten, untroubled and still without conceding a goal.
Mikel Oyarzabal broke the deadlock with his third goal of the tournament(Image: Pablo Garcia/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Luis de la Fuente’s side once again looked like one of the most complete teams in the tournament. In fierce California heat, Spain stayed calm, patient and technically superior, slowly taking control after the first hydration break before turning their dominance into goals.
Marc Cucurella thought he had given Spain the lead before the half-hour mark, only for his effort to be ruled out for what looked like a soft foul on Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. But that setback did not slow La Roja down. In the 36th minute, Cucurella turned provider, setting up Mikel Oyarzabal to open the scoring and continue his superb World Cup form.
Oyarzabal, already remembered by England fans for his decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, is becoming an even bigger figure for Spain. Once seen mainly as a winger, the Real Sociedad forward has developed into a clinical central threat under De la Fuente, and his double against Austria took him to four goals at this tournament.
Spain’s players celebrate Mikel Oyarzabal’s opener against Austria at the World Cup
Austria tried to respond after the break, with Ralf Rangnick making several changes, including the introduction of Marko Arnautovic and Sasa Kalajdzic. But although Austria briefly threatened, Spain always looked capable of finding another gear when space opened up.
That moment arrived when Alex Baena picked out Pedro Porro bursting into the area. The Tottenham right-back, handed another chance to prove his value, made no mistake with a simple header to score his first international goal and all but end the contest.
Oyarzabal then struck again late on, once more benefiting from Cucurella’s delivery, as Spain added gloss to another ruthless knockout performance. At the other end, Unai Simon’s clean sheet carried extra significance, with the goalkeeper setting a new Spanish World Cup record after going 518 minutes without conceding.
Spain now move on to a blockbuster last-16 clash against Portugal, setting up a mouth-watering Iberian showdown. With their defence locked in, their attack firing and players like Oyarzabal and Porro stepping up, La Roja are beginning to look every inch like serious World Cup contenders.
