Spain vs Austria: Yamal Returns as Rangnick's Underdogs Chase a First Knockout Win Since 1954
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga
Contenders Against a Team With Nothing to Lose
Spain arrive at SoFi Stadium as one of the most feared sides left in the 2026 World Cup, even if their group stage form did not always show it.
A surprise 0-0 draw with Cape Verde was followed by a 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia and a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay. Enough to top Group H and set up a kinder path through the bracket than the one facing Argentina. But Austria's story could not be more different.
Absent from the World Cup since 1998, Ralf Rangnick's side scraped into the knockout rounds in the most dramatic fashion possible.
Trailing Algeria in the 93rd minute of their final group match, Riyad Mahrez appeared to have sent Austria home. Yet, Sasa Kalajdzic had other ideas. He headed in an equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time to seal a 3-3 draw and second place in Group J.
"We all know that we need to do even better tomorrow. Against Spain this is obvious. We have to make one further step." (Ralf Rangnick, Austria head coach)
Spain: Yamal Finally Ready to Take Over
Luis de la Fuente's side has not lost a competitive match by full–time since March 2024, a run of 32 games that includes their Euro 2024 triumph.
But this World Cup has been a slower build than many expected, largely because their most dangerous attacker has not been at full strength:
- Lamine Yamal tore a hamstring in April and was eased back into action during the group stage, managing just 141 minutes across three matches.
- He still found the net against Saudi Arabia and set up another.
- And De la Fuente has confirmed the 18-year-old is now available for as many minutes as required. Rangnick was blunt about the challenge Yamal poses.
"Lamine Yamal is an excellent player, and he will be for the next 12, 13 or 14 years, maybe even longer. He is one of the players we will watch very closely, not to give him a lot of room or too many opportunities to start his dribbling actions." (Ralf Rangnick)
Two Fitness Doubts to Watch
Spain's other concern is depth on the flanks. Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino both picked up injuries in the win over Uruguay and remain doubts for this tie. If either misses out, Alex Baena, who scored the winner against Uruguay, is the likely replacement.
Austria: Chasing History That Predates Their Manager's Birth
A win today would give Austria their first World Cup knockout victory since 1954, when they finished third at the tournament in Switzerland. That is 72 years of history riding on a squad that few expected to even reach this stage.
Marcel Sabitzer is the player Austria needs to control the game. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder scored the goal that put Austria back ahead against Algeria before Mahrez's late leveller. And his ability to dictate tempo against Spain's press will determine how much of the ball Austria actually sees.
Marko Arnautovic, still contributing at 37, opened the scoring in that same Algeria match and remains a focal point up top.
But Austria's defensive record tells its own story. They have kept just one clean sheet in their last six competitive matches, while conceded six goals in three tournament games so far.
Against a Spanish side that has kept clean sheets in eight of their last nine competitive matches, Austria's route to an upset likely runs through chaos rather than control.
Curious how this game goes? Make sure to read our Spain vs Austria prediction!
