Oyarzabal’s double and Cucurella masterclass light up Los Angeles
Los Angeles was painted red on Thursday night.
Spain didn’t just beat Austria. They put on a clinic. A 3-0 demolition in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 that felt inevitable from the first whistle, and sent the 2010 champions marching into the last 16 with swagger.
This was Spain at their best: patient, ruthless, and beautiful to watch.
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—The Breakthrough: Cucurella to Oyarzabal—
Austria held firm for 35 minutes. Then Marc Cucurella decided enough was enough.
The left-back, electric all night, ghosted forward and threaded a perfect pass into the box. Waiting there was Mikel Oyarzabal. One touch. One finish. 1-0 Spain.
The goal cracked the game open.
—The Hammer Blow Before Half-time—
If the first was clinical, the second was pure art.
Again it was Cucurella.
Again he was the architect.
A darting run, a visionary ball to Alex Baena. Baena didn’t hesitate. A whipped cross, and Pedro Porro arrived to tap home.
2-0. Game over before the teams even went to the tunnel. Austria looked stunned.
—Oyarzabal Puts The Seal On It—
Spain didn’t take their foot off in the second half. They wanted more.
In the 68th minute, Cucurella delivered yet another left-wing masterpiece. This time the cross found Oyarzabal unmarked. The striker made no mistake, beating Alexander Schlager to bag his second and Spain’s third.
Brace for Oyarzabal. Masterclass for Cucurella. Statement made.
—What It Means—
This wasn’t just a win. It was a warning.
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With Oyarzabal clinical up front, Cucurella pulling strings from full-back, and Porro adding to the scoresheet, Spain look like genuine contenders again. Possession with purpose. Control without fear.
La Roja are into the last 16. The pursuit of a second World Cup title is very much alive.
