Oyarzabal double sends Spain into World Cup last 16
Spain beat Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles as Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added his first international goal.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Spain moved into the FIFA World Cup last 16 on Thursday with a 3-0 knockout win over Austria in Los Angeles, AFP reported. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro headed in as the European champions set up a Monday meeting with either Portugal or Croatia.
AFP reported that Spain controlled the ball for long stretches at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood and repeatedly broke through Austria’s defence. The match also drew a celebrity crowd, with Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Rosalia among those watching, according to AFP.
Oyarzabal said after the match that Spain had earned the result against demanding opponents. “I’m happy to help the team and get through to the next round. Now we need to rest,” he said, according to AFP.
He added: “They were a physical side and difficult to play against, but we played a good match. We’re happy to qualify.” Asked about the next opponent, Oyarzabal said it did not matter because he had friends in both Portugal’s and Croatia’s squads, AFP reported.
Spain take control before halftime
Spain built pressure after the first-half hydration break, AFP reported. Marc Cucurella had a goal ruled out from a Lamine Yamal corner because Pau Cubarsi was judged to have interfered with Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
Schlager then kept Austria level with a diving stop from Oyarzabal’s low effort, according to AFP. Spain broke through in the 36th minute when Pedri sent the ball wide to Cucurella, whose cross was turned in by Oyarzabal with a composed side-footed finish.
AFP reported that Yamal caused repeated problems for Austria, largely from the right side. Alex Baena struck the crossbar with a free kick, and Yamal’s close-range follow-up was saved.
Austria had one of its clearest openings before halftime when Romano Schmid found Stefan Posch arriving unmarked, AFP reported. Posch’s first touch let him down, and the chance disappeared before he could shoot.
Porro adds the second
Austria tried to change the match after the break by introducing Sasa Kalajdzic and Marko Arnautovic, then looking for them with longer balls, AFP reported. Kalajdzic sent a header over the bar soon after coming on.
Spain extended the lead in the 66th minute, according to AFP. Baena delivered a cross for Porro, who headed in his first goal for Spain.
Austria limited further damage for a spell, including when David Alaba cleared a Yamal effort off the line, AFP reported. Yamal was substituted shortly afterward as Spain protected its advantage.
Spain’s passing drew “Ole” chants from the crowd in the closing minutes, according to AFP. The final goal came in the 89th minute, when Cucurella picked out Oyarzabal unmarked in the area and the forward finished to complete the 3-0 win.
AFP reported that Spain’s next match will be played Monday in Dallas against either Portugal or Croatia. The result keeps Spain in the tournament after a performance that also included a disallowed goal and a free kick off the woodwork.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.