How Spain kicked their World Cup campaign into action | OneFootball

It was a long time in the making — 16 years to be precise — but Spain finally claimed a World Cup knockout win and sent a strong statement to the rest of the teams in the tournament.

A Dip in Form

After writing their names into the history books with an unprecedented golden era that saw them win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros, Spain had severely underachieved in global competition. They exited the group stage in 2014 before losing to Italy in the Round of 16 in the 2016 Euros, followed by another Round of 16 elimination to hosts Russia in the 2018 World Cup.

And when it seemed as though Spain were finally making inroads under Luis Enrique, narrowly losing to champions Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 semifinals, they were served up a dose of humble pie the following year in Qatar after losing on penalties to Morocco in the Round of 16.

This necessitated a change at the helm, with Luis de la Fuente replacing Enrique following their shock elimination. De la Fuente quickly justified the Spanish FA’s trust, replacing retired veterans like Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, and Sergio Busquets, and leading La Roja to the UEFA Nations League title. And in 2024, they well and truly announced themselves on the world stage by winning the European Championship in Germany.

Back on the Winning Path

Under De La Fuente, Spain have lost just three times: they lost 2-0 to Scotland in his second game in charge in March 2023, before losing 1-0 in a friendly to Colombia a year later. And in June 2025, they drew 2-2 to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League Final before losing 5-3 on penalties.

Since that defeat in Munich, however, Spain would go on to win six of seven, the sole exception being a meaningless draw vs. Türkiye in their final World Cup qualifier, having already booked their ticket to North America. They would then draw to Egypt and Iraq before losing to Peru in their final pre-tournament friendly.

Group Stage

Spain didn’t quite hit the ground running, drawing 0-0 to debutantes Cape Verde and thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 (both in Atlanta) before heading south of the border and taking on two-time champions Uruguay in Guadalajara.

La Celeste, having grown weary of Marcelo Bielsa’s rigid tactical setup, entered the game more focused on hurting Spain players than actually trying to win the match and secure their spot in the knockouts. And it eventually resulted in their star winger Nico Williams picking up an adductor injury, one that could sideline him for the rest of the tournament.

Injury and “El que sigue”

But if there was any phrase to sum up Spain under De la Fuente, it would be ‘El que sigue,’ or ‘Next man up.’ When Pedri got hurt midway through Euro 2024, Dani Olmo stepped up and delivered a world-class campaign in midfield alongside Rodri and Fabián Ruiz. And with Dani Carvajal missing out on a call-up after an injury-plagued couple of years, Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro have battled for the starting right back position.

It was the same this time around. With Williams joining Yéremy Pino and Victor Muñoz in the treatment table (not to mention Fermín López, who missed the tournament with a metatarsal fracture), Spain only had one available winger in Lamine Yamal. But with Yamal delivering the same kind of mercurial displays that we’ve grown accustomed to, this ended up not making any difference whatsoever.

Match Report: Austria

Going up against an Austria side that were competing in their first World Cup in 28 years, and that had only just snuck into the knockouts after a pulsating stalemate vs. Algeria, Spain showed no signs of rustiness. They pressed their boots onto Austria’s jugular, and they didn’t let them breathe until the final whistle.

Whilst Marc Cucurella looked to have put Spain ahead, his goal was ruled out due to a foul. They would have to wait just a couple of minutes before their opener, with Mikel Oyarzabal deflecting Cucurella’s cross into the back of the net. Had it not been for Alexander Schlager’s superb reactions, Spain would have sealed the deal before halftime.

Sensing that his team was getting overwhelmed, Ralf Rangnick brought on Florian Grillitsch and Carney Chukwuemeka for Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald at halftime. Whilst it resulted in increased aggression from the Burschen, they were still lacking a genuine striker to tap in Marcel Sabitzer’s crosses, prompting Rangnick to sub on Saša Kalajdžić and Marko Arnautović.

But just when it seemed that Austria might be getting a foothold, Spain put the game to bed as Álex Baena, filling in for the injured Williams, found space on the left flank before firing in a cross for Porro to head home. Oyarzabal put the cherry on top in the 89th minute, timing his run to perfection and turning home a cross from Cucurella.

Post-Match Reactions

“For the first 20-25 minutes we were OK but after the first break, I think [Spain] changed a bit and then it became more difficult for us. They are very strong with the ball,” stated Austria captain David Alaba after the match. “They have a lot of the ball and after 90 minutes it’s difficult to [just] run after the ball. Spain have players who have a lot of quality and are very dangerous.”

“There’s a certain emptiness in us, a certain grief. We’re extremely disappointed, of course, and that’s also the mood in the dressing room. But we have to be proud of ourselves. It’s special [to be back at the World Cup], but at this point, we have a team that thinks big and has big dreams. If you’re not able to make these dreams come true, that really hurts.” 

Whereas Austria were denied their first World Cup knockout win since 1954, Spain stamped their credentials as one of the prime contenders to win this summer’s tournament. What’s more, they made history as goalkeeper Unai Simón broke Walter Zenga’s record for the most minutes (517) without conceding a single goal in the World Cup.

Fluidity and Depth Key to Spanish Success

De la Fuente clearly has his favorites: Simón, Cucurella and Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte have started in defense for the entirety of the tournament. Rodri and Pedri have occupied the midfield, Oyarzabal has started up top, whilst Yamal — having been rested in the opener — has started on the right flank and worked his way back to full fitness.

The rest of the team, however, is quicksilver, with Porro and Llorente sharing the starting right back duties, and Baena starting on the left flank in the absence of Williams (apart from the opening match, where Gavi started). And Olmo, Fabián, and Mikel Merino have battled for the attacking midfield role, with Olmo winning the spot against Austria.

No matter who plays, though, Spain continue to play the game on their own terms. And after stamping their credentials in Inglewood, they’ll be looking to make it past Portugal in Arlington, with a win setting up a return to Southern California and a date with either USA or Belgium.