Pablo Hernández’s 2009 Vienna strike returns as Spain meet Austria | OneFootball

Spain meet Austria on Thursday 2 July 2026, 21:00, in the World Cup 1/16 finals. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the tie revives a singular Castellón memory, Pablo Hernández’s only goal for La Roja in the 1-5 friendly win in Vienna in 2009. The former winger is now head coach of CD Castellón at SkyFi Castalia.

On 18 November 2009 at the Ernst Happel, Austria struck first through Jantscher on seven minutes. Cesc Fàbregas levelled on 10, David Villa made it 1-2 on 20, then Pehlivan saw red on 27. Villa added a second before the break for 1-3.

After half-time Dani Güiza scored for 1-4 on 56. Moments later Jesús Navas released Hernández on the right, he controlled, advanced and finished to complete the 1-5.

It was no ordinary friendly. Spain returned to the stadium where they had been crowned European champions the previous year, and were looking towards the 2010 World Cup, a tournament that would change Spanish football history.

Hernández earned four senior caps and scored once. Breaking into a squad featuring Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Busquets, Navas, Mata and Fàbregas was a challenge, and scoring for Spain even more so.

There will be no room for nostalgia once the whistle blows. In Castellón the occasion echoes that night in Vienna, and the coach who left his signature on it.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo