Spain scored and won a knockout stage game for the first time since winning the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
18 Asar, Kathmandu – Spain defeated Austria 3-0 to secure their first knockout stage victory since 2010.
In the FIFA World Cup 2026 match held at Skukraraj in the morning, Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace helped Spain comfortably overcome Austria.
This marks Spain’s first knockout stage win since lifting the World Cup trophy in 2010 by defeating the Netherlands in the final held in South Africa.
Spain will now face the winner between Portugal and Croatia in the Round of 16.
Oyarzabal scored once in each half, while Pedro Poro added another goal.
At Los Angeles Stadium, Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain in the 36th minute, tapping in a pass from Marc Cucurella.
Oyarzabal’s goal was Spain’s first in a World Cup knockout match since Andres Iniesta scored against the Netherlands in the 2010 final.
During the first half, Spain created several strong scoring opportunities, but Austria’s goalkeeper Alexander Schlager made impressive saves, denying Spain a bigger lead.
Marc Cucurella’s goal in the 29th minute was disallowed by the referee for impeding the Austrian goalkeeper.
Similarly, Oyarzabal’s shot in the 33rd minute was brilliantly saved by Schlager.
In the second minute of first-half injury time, Alex Baena’s free-kick hit the crossbar and the rebound shot from Jamal was also saved by goalkeeper Schlager, preventing Spain from doubling their lead.
Leading by one goal at halftime, Spain added two more goals in the second half.
Pedro Poro doubled Spain’s lead in the 66th minute by scoring off Alex Baena’s cross. This was Poro’s first international goal.
Oyarzabal then scored his second goal of the match in the 89th minute.
With two goals in this match, Oyarzabal’s World Cup tally reached four, making him a contender for the Golden Boot.
He had previously scored twice against Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
Oyarzabal ranks sixth among World Cup scorers. France captain Kylian Mbappe and Argentina captain Lionel Messi lead with six goals each, followed by Norway’s Erling Haaland and England captain Harry Kane with five each. France’s Ousmane Dembele, with four goals and two assists, is ranked ahead of Oyarzabal.
Oyarzabal shares a tally of four goals and one assist with Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr but is placed ahead due to fewer minutes played.
