What is the story about?
Spain
have won their first World Cup knockout game since the 2010 Final and guaranteed safe passage to this year’s Round of 16 thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 win against Austria in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon. La Roja saved their best performance of the tournament for the most decisive moment, playing a brilliant team game and brushing Austria aside with remarkable ease.
Reactions & Observations
- For all the legitimate concerns about Spain after a poor group stage, their performance today shows why they were such strong pre-tournament favorites: La Roja truly dominated from start to finish and were better in every phase of the game. Spain easily broke Austria’s famous high press with great passing and movement, dominated midfield and were ruthless up front, and finally looked like a real candidate to win it all.
- Lamine Yamal was sensational in the first half, giving Konrad Laimer nightmares with one crazy nutmeg after another, and he deserved a goal but could not find the net. His second half was far more quiet, and he was clearly tired after the first 60 minutes. But his fitness levels are clearly improving, and he looks better and better as the tournament goes on.
- Every Barça player who started was very good, with Dani Olmo continuing his excellent tournament and showing why he deserves to remain a starter for the rest of the World Cup. But two Blaugrana stars stood out: Pau Cubarsí was simply spectacular both defensively and as a passer from the back, and Pedri had without a doubt his best game in the tournament, playing the exact role he does at Barça and absolutely dominating the middle of the park.
- But this was truly a collective show from Spain: every player in the starting XI was a 7 out of 10 or better, with special mentions to both full-backs, Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored two more goals and was fantastic with his movement and link-up play in the final third.
- Today’s game should end the debate about the right-back and attacking midfield positions: Porro is clearly a better fit for Spain’s style and system than Marcos Llorente, and Dani Olmo’s form is far superior to Mikel Merino.
- Spain have finally found their best version and their best lineup, and they look ready for what could be an epic Round of 16 clash with Portugal.
