Spain defeat Austria 3-0 at FIFA World Cup 2026 – as it happened

Spain sounded a warning shot to the rest of the world with a convincing display to sweep aside Austria and book their place in the round of 16.

The winners of Portugal vs Croatia await in the next round on Monday in Dallas, and whichever team prevails, they will likely not relish the prospect of facing La Roja at this form.

You can follow live coverage of that one here.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage today, and from Andrew Semple and me, Alex Hoad, it’s goodbye.

If you want to relive the action from Los Angeles, you can.

Read the match report here.

Not only do we have live updates on the big game between Portugal and Croatia this evening, we will be back on Friday from 18:30 GMT with all the build-up to the intriguing clash between Argentina and Cape Verde, which kicks off at 22:00 GMT.

We’re less than an hour away from Portugal vs Croatia, with the winner set to face Spain in the last 16 in Dallas on Monday.

Here‘s everything you need to know about the big match.

Mikel Oyarzabal became the first Spain player to score two goals in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueno against Denmark in the round of 16 in 1986.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said his side were “almost perfect” in their last-32 win over Austria.

“We knew it would be an important match, especially in this knockout stage. We had the previous games in mind and, in every aspect, we were almost perfect,” he said.

“There are still a few little things to improve. We can always do better. Every match is going to be more difficult than the last. We need to keep this mentality.”

Spain have won three of their four games at this World Cup, which is as many victories as they managed across the previous three editions combined (one win each in 2014, 2018 and 2022).

“I’m happy to help the team and get through to the next round. Now we need to rest,” said two-goal Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal after helping La Roja past Austria.

“They were a physical side and difficult to play against, but we played a good match. We’re happy to qualify,” he added.

As to whether he’d prefer Portugal or Croatia in Monday’s last-16 match-up, he added: “It doesn’t matter who we face in the next round – I have friends in both teams.”

🏁 ¡¡𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢!!

Pasamos de ronda tras una victoria muy convincente en Los Ángeles con doblete de Mikel Oyarzabal y otro tanto de Pedro Porro.

¡¡Vaaaamooooooos, afición!! #VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/zxVVvNKWfV

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 2, 2026

Only five spots remain. Who's next? 🏆#FIFAWorldCup #Qualified @mcdonalds pic.twitter.com/KpvgFlpvsa

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 2, 2026

Pedro Porro nods in a second for Spain, his first goal for his country on his 20th appearance.

Believe it or not, this is the first time Spain have scored at least two goals in a men's World Cup knockout match since a 3-0 win against Switzerland in 1994. pic.twitter.com/gS6hrdJFDz

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 2, 2026

Spain didn’t allow a single shot on target in the win over Austria, the first time a team haven’t allowed one in a World Cup knockout match since Germany in the 2014 final against Argentina.

Spain will now face the winner of tonight’s Portugal vs Croatia match in the last 16 in Dallas on Monday (19:00 GMT).

That is a statement win for Spain.

Five consecutive clean sheets, as Simon sets the longest unbeaten streak in World Cup history, but it was in attack that they really shone in the sunshine.

Oyarzabal tucked them ahead in the first half, during which Cucurella saw a goal controversially denied after a soft foul on the keeper, but La Roja turned on the style after the break and Porro headed his first goal for his country and Oyarzabal stroked his second late on as they simply outclassed Austria in their first knockout match in 72 years.

Spain’s first win in a knockout game since they won the 2010 edition and on this evidence, they will take some beating to prevent them winning this one too.

Spain have run Austria ragged pretty much all day, but Ferran Torres drags a shot from the right of the box across the face of goal pretty tamely, as they seek the icing on the cake.

90+5 mins: Spain 3-0 Austria

Austria have six more minutes left at the World Cup.

90+2 mins: Spain 3-0 Austria

Substitution, Spain. Fabián Ruiz replaces Pedri.

Substitution, Spain. Marc Pubill replaces Aymeric Laporte.

Spain have flexed their muscles here.

Oyarzabal beats the offside trap to slot in his second, and Spain’s third.

It’s another lovely goal. Cucurella curls in a fine ball from the left, which Oyarzabal meets with a side-footed finish to Schlager’s left and into the corner.

That’s four for the tournament for him, and 17 in 16 starts.

89 mins: Spain 3-0 Austria

Substitution, Austria. Alexander Prass replaces Stefan Posch.