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Spain produced a commanding display to defeat Austria 3-0 on Thursday and book a place in the FIFA World Cup last 16, ending a 16-year wait for a knockout-stage victory at the tournament.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added another as the European champions dominated the Round of 32 clash at the Los Angeles Stadium before a crowd of 70,492.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 36th minute, finishing from Marc Cucurella’s cross to hand Spain a deserved half-time lead after controlling possession and creating the better chances.
Porro doubled Spain’s advantage in the 66th minute, heading home Álex Baena’s cross to leave Austria with a mountain to climb.
Oyarzabal wrapped up the victory a minute from time, meeting another pinpoint delivery from Cucurella to seal his brace and Spain’s most convincing performance of the tournament.
Austria struggled to threaten throughout the contest and failed to register a meaningful response until late in the second half, when Carney Chukwuemeka fired wide after a rare attacking move.
The victory sends Spain into the last 16, where they will face either Portugal or Croatia on July 6, as they continue their bid for a second World Cup title and a first since lifting the trophy in 2010.
