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Time for the European champions to deliver – Yamal and Co ready to sweep aside Austria
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Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 02.07.26. | 14:55
After most of the tournament favorites secured victories in the knockout stage, it's now Spain's turn to show why they belong among the leading contenders
With a devastating attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, France are widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for World Cup glory. Argentina, inspired by the ageless Lionel Messi, are also among the favorites. Germany and the Netherlands have already been eliminated, England and Brazil narrowly survived, Portugal have yet to hit top form—but what can Spain achieve?
SPAIN 🇪🇸 VS AUSTRIA 🇦🇹 WHO WILL WIN ? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/u8rdY7Gl1X
— FIFA World Cup 2026 (@FIFAWC26Updates) July 2, 2026
The reigning European champions have quietly taken care of business in the group stage. After opening with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, they dismantled Saudi Arabia 4-0 before edging Uruguay 1-0.
The biggest excitement, however, may still be to come, with Lamine Yamal expected to truly explode onto the tournament after arriving in the United States following a month-long injury layoff due to a hamstring problem suffered while playing for Barcelona.
Luis de la Fuente's side now face Austria in a European showdown at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Austria booked their place in the knockout stage in dramatic fashion, with Sasa Kalajdzic scoring a stoppage-time equalizer in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Algeria. Spain enter the match as clear favorites to advance, but England and Brazil also looked comfortable on paper before being pushed to the limit and needing second-half comebacks to survive.
One of Spain's biggest strengths has been their defensive solidity. Unai Simon has yet to concede a goal at this World Cup, marking the first time Spain have completed a group stage without letting in a single goal.
Only Mexico can match that defensive record, although they have already played—and won—their Round of 32 clash against Ecuador. The Athletic Blibao goalkeeper has faced little danger so far, making just four saves in three matches—two against Uruguay and one each versus Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.
If there is one concern for La Roja, it is the possibility of a penalty shootout. Spot kicks proved their downfall at each of the last two World Cups, losing to Morocco in Qatar with Simon in goal and to Russia in 2018 when David de Gea was between the posts.
Q: “Do you feel stressed?”
— Marie Anne 🇦🇷 (@fcbliveaddict) July 2, 2026
Lamine Yamal: “My mother gave birth to me when she was sixteen years old, then my father had to go out to find a source of income, collecting things from the street so he could bring food home. That's real pressure. As for me, all I have to do is… pic.twitter.com/BaLkOXrvAB
Much of Spain's hopes rest on Lamine Yamal, whose minutes have been carefully managed by De la Fuente. The teenager started each of the last two matches, scored his first-ever World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia before being substituted at halftime, and then played 76 minutes against Uruguay. While he is still not at full fitness, there is little doubt he is expected to become Spain's main attacking weapon as the tournament progresses.
The only cloud hanging over the Spanish camp is the injury to Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who struggled with fitness issues throughout last season. Although the initial outlook after the Uruguay match was pessimistic, there is growing optimism that the younger Williams brother—while his older sibling Inaki represents Ghana at this World Cup—could return in around ten days, potentially in time for the quarter-finals. Víctor Munz and Yeremy Pino have resumed training but remain unavailable for the clash with Austria.
The two nations last met 17 years ago in a friendly, with Spain cruising to a commanding 5-1 victory.
The winner of this encounter will face either Portugal or Croatia in the Round of 16 on Monday in Dallas.
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Round of 32
Sunday
South Africa - Canada 0-1 (0-0)
/Eustaquio 90+2/
Monday
Brazil - Japan 2-1 (0-1)
/Casemiro 56, Martinelli 90+5 - Sano 29/
Germany - Paraguay 3-4 on penalties (0-1)
/Havertz 54 - Enciso 42/
Tuesday
Netherlands - Morocco 2-3 on penalties (1-1)
/Gakpo 72 - Diop 90+1/
Ivory Coast - Norway 1-2 (0-1)
/Diallo 74 - Nusa 39, Haaland 86/
France - Sweden 3-0 (1-0)
/Mbappe 45, 74 Barcola 53/
Wednesday
Mexico - Ecuador 2-0 (2-0)
/Quinones 22, Jimenez 31/
England - DR Congo 2-1 (0-1)
/Kane 75, 86 - Cipenga 7/
Belgium - Senegal 3-2 a.e.t. (2-2)
/Lukaku 86, Tielemans 89, 120+5 pen - Diarra 25, Sarr I. 51/
Thursday
USA - B&H 2-0 (1-0)
/Balogun 45, Tillman 82/
22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)
Friday
02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)
06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)
21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)
Saturday
01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)
04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)
***odds are subject to change***