Mikel Oyarzabal set Spain on their way to the last 16 of the World Cup – moments after Marc Cucurella was controversially denied the opener against Austria.
Oyarzabal got his third goal of the World Cup after finishing off a flowing move by the Spanish, who dominated the first half.
Spain did not let a controversial decision to rule out a Cucurella goal moments before to affect them, with a free-kick given for a soft foul on Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
Oyarzabal finishes off flowing Spain move
Oyzarzabal has nailed down Spain’s starting striker role, with this his 16th goal in his last 16 starts for his country.
He showed all the instincts of a top striker by delicately stroking the ball past Schlager, but there was plenty of good work in the build-up before that.
Rodri fed Pedri about 35 yards out and the Barcelona midfielder drove past a number of defenders before finding Cucurella, who calmly pulled the ball back for Oyarzabal who diverted the ball past the Austria keeper.
Spain probably should already have been in front after Cucurella had slammed home from a corner moments before.
After an inswinging corner went towards a crowded keeper, Schlager managed to punch the ball away only into the path of the Real Madrid left-back, who found the back of the net.
But the celebrations were short-lived after the referee ruled the goal out for an apparent foul on the goalkeeper – with replays showing the contact was minimal and that the goal probably should have stood.
It was the second goal of its kind in a matter of days that was ruled out for what looked like minimal contact at a corner, with Germany also on the wrong end of the decision which saw them exit the World Cup to Paraguay.
Where to watch Spain vs Austria: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Thursday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Spain vs Austria stats
- Spain won at least two group-stage matches in a single FIFA World Cup edition for the first time since 2010, when they beat Honduras and Chile, while also finishing a World Cup group stage without conceding for the first time in their history
- They have not had less possession than their opponent in a World Cup match since their 2002 quarter-final against South Korea, when they recorded 49% (25 consecutive matches with higher possession)
- Rodri has attempted (350) and completed (328) the most passes of any player still involved in the competition who is yet to play in the last 32
- The Manchester City midfielder has also played the most successful passes of anyone at the World Cup in the final third (109)
- Aymeric Laporte has carried the ball the most distance (1,059 metres) of any player still involved and carried the most progressive distance overall (868.7m)
- Austria have advanced beyond the initial group stage for the first time since 1982, when the tournament took place in Spain
- Sasa Kalajdzic scored 61 seconds after coming on as a substitute against Algeria, which was the third-fastest goal by a substitute in this year’s World Cup and the eight-fastest ever
- Marko Arnautovic became the first player who is at least 37 years old to have both a goal and a yellow card in the same World Cup match.
- Arnautovic has scored two World Cup goals since turning 37. The only other players in World Cup history to score multiple goals at 37 or older are Lionel Messi (6), Roger Milla (5) and Cristiano Ronaldo (3)
- Austria have conceded in their last 12 World Cup matches. The only European teams to have a longer such streak in are Switzerland (22, 1934-1994) and Sweden (15, 1974-1994)
World Cup 2026: Spain confirmed team vs Austria
Spain starting XI: Simon, Porro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella, Baena, Rodri, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Oyarzabal
Spain substitutes: Raya, Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Ruiz, Gavi, Zubimendi, Torres, Pino, Williams, Munoz, Iglesias
World Cup 2026: Austria full line up vs Spain
Austria starting XI: Schlager, Danso, Posch, Alaba, Schlager, Seiwald, Sabitzer, Schmid, Laimer, Wanner, Gregoritsch
Austria substitutes: Wiegele, Pentz, Affengruber, Lienhart, Mwene, Friedl, Svoboda, Grillitsch, Chukwuemeka, Ljubicic, Prass, Schoepf, Arnautovic, Kalajdzic, Wimmer
