De la Fuente praises Spain’s ‘almost perfect’ performance

Luis de la Fuente praised Spain's "almost perfect" performance in their victory over Austria, but said his team needed to continue improving if they were to progress in the World Cup. Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals, while Pedro Porro also made his mark in the 3-0 victory at the round of 32 stage. Spain, considered one of the favorites for the title, will now face Portugal or Croatia in the round of 16.

This was La Roja's first victory in a World Cup knockout match since the 2010 final (1-0 against the Netherlands), and the first time they have scored more than once in a match of this type since 1994, when they beat Switzerland 3-0. The team has already achieved three victories in the 2026 tournament (D1), the same number of victories they achieved in the three previous editions combined (a victory in 2014, 2018 and 2022).


De la Fuente, who has never lost a knockout match in a major tournament with Spain (10 wins and 1 draw), was pleased with the way his team excelled in the qualifiers. "The big teams show up when their presence is needed," De la Fuente told RTVE. "I think we saw a great game. I'm happy because, in every aspect, we were almost perfect – but we need to keep improving. Every game now will be very difficult. In the round of 16, the opponents are even more demanding. You can always improve, and besides, that's what this team demands. These players always want more and more. [Oyarzabal] showed the football potential he has – and so did his teammates. They played an extraordinary game. Spain steal the show in Hollywood. Next stop: the Oyarzabal has scored 16 goals for Spain since the start of 2025 and became the first player to score two goals in a World Cup knockout match for his country since Emilio Butragueño against Denmark in 1986 (he scored four in the round of 16).

"I'm happy to help the team and move to the next stage," said Oyarzabal. "Now we need to rest. They were a physical team and difficult to play against, but we played a good game. We are happy to qualify. It doesn't matter who we face in the next round [Portugal or Croatia] – I have friends on both teams, so come on!" As for Austria, they failed to get a single shot on target, becoming the first team to do so in a World Cup knockout match since Argentina against Germany in the 2014 final. They managed just five attempts with 0.3 expected goals (xG) in total and just 11 touches in the opposition box as they struggled to break down the Austrian defense. Spain. "In the first 20 to 25 minutes, we were fine, but after the first [hydration stop], I think they changed a little, and then it became more difficult for us," said David Alaba. "They are very strong with the ball. They have a lot of possession, and after 90 minutes, it's difficult to chase it. They have a lot of quality players and are very dangerous."

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