INGLEWOOD:
Spain coasted previous Austria and into the World Cup last-16 on Thursday, totally outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.
The European champions managed possession and sliced via the Austrian protection in a sometimes dominant efficiency in Los Angeles, as Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and singer Rosalia cheered on.
The win — which might have been by a larger margin, with a disallowed purpose and a free kick off the woodwork — units up a tantalizing round-of-16 conflict with both Portugal or Croatia.
The SoFi Stadium was a sea of crimson and pleasure was sky-high over the primary go to by a bona fide World Cup favourite to America’s second metropolis.
Spain ratcheted up the stress step by step via the primary half, making a string of possibilities after the primary hydration break.
Marc Cucurella thought he had scored from a Lamine Yamal nook, however Pau Cubarsi was judged to have encroached on Austria’s goalkeeper.
Alexander Schlager then made an outstanding diving save, pushing Oyarzabal’s low shot across the submit.
Austria’s protection lastly buckled within the thirty sixth minute. Pedri pinged a ball extensive left to Cucurella, whose cross to Oyarzabal was calmly side-footed previous the ‘keeper.
Spain’s dominance grew additional, with Yamal tormenting the Austrians, primarily from the proper flank.
An Alex Baena free kick hit the crossbar, and Yamal’s close-range follow-up shot was effectively saved.
Austria spurned a uncommon probability on the different finish. Romano Schmid performed in a late-arriving and unmarked Stefan Posch, however a horrible first contact meant he misplaced the ball earlier than even making an attempt a shot.
‘Ole’
After the break Spain continued knocking on the door with out fairly placing the sport to relaxation.
Austria despatched on two large strikers — Sasa Kalajdzic and Marko Arnautovic — and instantly went lengthy, with Kalajdzic placing a header over the bar.
However within the 66th minute, Spain struck once more. Baena lifted a cross onto the pinnacle of Pedro Porro, who nodded in his first purpose for Spain.
Some dogged defending stored the scoreline respectable, together with a goalline clearance by David Alaba from Yamal, who was substituted off to relaxation moments later.
Spain sprayed passes across the pitch as the ultimate minutes ticked down, eliciting “Oles” from the gang, as consideration turned to a sterner check on Monday in Dallas.
Within the 89th minute, a pinpoint Cucurella cross discovered a very unmarked Oyarzabal within the penalty space, who slotted the ball residence.
