Spain continued their impressive 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added another goal as Luis de la Fuente’s side booked their place in the round of 16 with another dominant performance.The win extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 34 games in all competitions. With four clean sheets in four World Cup games and a squad full of in-form stars, Spain now look like one of the strongest contenders for the title. If both teams continue to win, they could meet France in a blockbuster semi-final.
Spain’s form, defense and star players make them genuine FIFA World Cup 2026 contenders
Spain has quietly become one of the most complete teams in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Their last victory over Austria showed why many believe they are capable of lifting the trophy.The European champions are now 34 games unbeaten in regular play. Their last defeat came against Colombia in March 2024. Since then, Luis de la Fuente has built a team that combines confidence, discipline and attacking quality. This unbeaten run gave Spain huge belief and made them one of the toughest teams to beat.His defense has been equally impressive. Spain have yet to concede a goal in four World Cup matches. Goalkeeper Unai Simón was outstanding between the posts. While central defenders Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí formed a reliable partnership. The experienced Laporte provides leadership, while the young Cubarsí continues to impress with his composition and reading of the game.Spain also has quality in midfield. Pedri continues to control games with his passing and movement, while the team’s quick transitions make them dangerous whenever they win possession.In the attack, Mikel Oyarzabal was one of the standout performers. His two well-taken goals against Austria took his tournament tally to four. Although he may not receive as much attention as some other forwards, his intelligent movement, finishing and work rate make him a vital player for Spain.Lamine Yamal is another player that is attracting attention. The teenage winger continues to excite with his dribbling and creativity. Against Austria, he regularly beat defenders with clever footwork. It created many dangerous moments. Although he did not score, his performance showed that he is back to his best after recent fitness issues.Spain also looked dangerous on the left side. Marc Cucurella and Álex Baena combined well throughout the match. Cucurella created two goals with his attacks, while Baena’s movement constantly stretched the Austrian defense and opened up space for his teammates.Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Spain is its balance. They defend with discipline, control possession through midfield and have several players capable of scoring goals. Each area of the team is performed well at the right time.Their next knockout game will provide a tougher test, but Spain have shown they are up for the challenge. If they continue this level of performance, they will be one of the favorites to reach the final.
