For a few moments Saturday, Austria’s World Cup appeared over.
In the late stages of the Group J finale against Algeria, the wave of emotions rolled through the Austrians.
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Tied at 2, both teams were safe. However, in the third minute of extra time, Algeria’s goal had the Austrians on the outside looking in. Then three minutes later, Sasa Kalajdzic’s header secured the draw and a spot into the Round of 32.
“I couldn’t believe what happened in [the last] 120 seconds,” Austria manager Ralf Rangnick said through translation Saturday. “I’ve been a coach for about 40 years and I don’t even remember a game that had such a dramatic course and unexpected trajectory.”
Austria, who finished second in the group due to goal differential, now takes aim at one of the tournament’s favorites in Spain. The winner will face Portugal or Croatia in the Round of 16 on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
Spain, after an opening shocking scoreless draw against Cape Verde, defeated Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0) to finish first in Group H. Spain hasn’t suffered a loss since a 2024 friendly against Colombia.
“It will be a tough game,” Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer said. “Spain is a strong opponent with a lot of quality in possession, they have top quality players and we’re aware of that.
“So we will need to be strong against the ball, with the ball and find a good momentum, but we know that we will face a very strong opponent, we need to be at our maximum and if we are, we can compete against everyone.”
The challenge facing Austria, as Sabitzer said, is a team that dominates possession. However, Spain hasn’t been able to turn it all into a goal-dominant performance.
Spain had 74% possession against Cape Verde, turning that into 27 shots and seven on goal, but didn’t score. Against Saudi Arabia, Spain had a four-goal outburst, with 67% possession and 22 total shots, with eight on goal. In the final group-stage game, Spain managed just six shots in a 1-0 win over Uruguay with 67% possession.
“Every match is different,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said through translation. “Every opponent tries to make most of their performance.”
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Spain has yet to play Lamine Yamal for a full 90 minutes. The Barcelona star played only 19 minutes against Cape Verde, 45 minutes against Saudi Arabia and 76 minutes against Uruguay. He did have a goal in his appearance against Saudi Arabia.
“Lamine is a player who doesn’t need much help (in the attack),” Spain defender Marcos Llorente told reporters Monday. “It’s best to give him the ball and you stay back, to leave him in a one-on-one situation and not bring your man with you to where he is.”
“You have to look at what’s best for him, as a player who makes the difference. There are moments to get upfield, and others not to.”
Yamal, 18, scored 16 goals and added 11 assists in 28 games with Barcelona in La Liga as he was selected as the La Liga Best Player for the campaign. He added six goals and four assists in Champions League play.
Despite his age, Yamal has accepted the pressure of wearing the No. 10 shirt for Barcelona.
“I understand that people are going to target the player who excites the most,” Yamal said in an interview with Tiempo de Juego. “Pedri and Rodri are great, but the pressure I have, I’m Barca’s 10, the winger. But I’m happy with this, the pressure is when you can’t do what they ask you but I can.”
Spain defeated England in the 2024 UEFA Euro Championships and followed that with a second-place finish in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. The 2010 World Cup champions have struggled in the World Cup, going out in the group stage in 2014 and in the Round of 16, on penalties, in 2018 and 2022.
Yamal was slowed by injury early, but said in an interview with Cadena SER that’s he’s healthy.
“They were tough matches,” Yamal said of the group stage. “Especially the third one. There were a lot of stoppages. … I don’t think we’ve played a really great match yet. Once we hit our stride, and we definitely will, we’ll be almost unstoppable.”
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FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32
Who: Spain vs. Austria
When: Noon Thursday
Where: Inglewood
TV: FOX, Peacock, Telemundo (Spanish)