Spain are into the last 16 of the World Cup after a controlled and convincing 3-0 victory over Austria.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro also found the net as Luis de la Fuente’s side produced their strongest performance of the tournament so far.

The win ended Austria’s campaign and sent Spain into a high-profile Round of 16 meeting with Portugal.

De la Fuente still wants more

“It was a fantastic match, close to perfection, but we have to keep improving,” De la Fuente told DAZN after the game, according to Marca.

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The Spain coach praised the level of his players, while also making it clear that the knockout rounds will demand even more.

“Of course, we can get better, be a little sharper across the entire pitch. From now on, every single match will be harder and demand more. There are only 16 teams left, and our mentality is always to improve. That is what this team demands, and that is the greatness of these players, they always want more and more.”

It was a message that summed up Spain’s mood: satisfaction with the result, but no sense of comfort.

Spain sweep Austria aside

According to TV 2 Sport, Spain sent Austria out of the World Cup with a clear victory in the knockout stage.

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Oyarzabal opened the scoring before half-time, giving Spain control of a match they rarely looked likely to lose.

Porro then made it 2-0 after the break, before Oyarzabal added his second late on to complete a performance built on pressure, patience and sharp movement in the final third.

The result was also significant for Spain’s wider World Cup story. After years of frustration in knockout football, this was the kind of composed performance that suggested De la Fuente’s team are growing at the right time.

Portugal wait in the next round

De la Fuente had earlier said he had no preferred opponent, insisting that any team reaching this stage had earned its place.

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Spain now know the challenge ahead.

Portugal’s win over Croatia has set up an Iberian meeting in the Round of 16, a tie that will immediately raise the level of tension around Spain’s campaign.

For De la Fuente, however, the focus remains internal.

Spain have reached the last 16 with momentum, confidence and a clean sense of direction. The performance against Austria may have been close to perfection, but the coach’s message was clear enough: close is not enough yet.

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