Oyarzabal scores two goals as Spain dominates Austria in World Cup knockout

Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace allows the European champions to dominate Austria and move on to the round of 16.Spain coasted past Austria and into the FIFA World Cup last 16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win, with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.The European champions controlled possession and sliced through the Austrian defence in a typically dominant performance in Los Angeles, as Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem and singer Rosalia cheered on.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4German football has a bigger problem than a World Cup loss: Scapegoatinglist 2 of 4Man City sign Elliot Anderson from Forest in record British transferlist 3 of 4Amid the World Cup, the new pan-Africanism is conditionallist 4 of 4How the North American heatwave could impact the FIFA World Cupend of listThe win, which could have been by a greater margin – with a disallowed goal and a free kick off the woodwork – sets up a tantalising round-of-16 clash with either Portugal or Croatia.“I’m happy to help the team and get through to the next round. Now we need to rest,” said Oyarzabal directly after full-time.“They were a physical side and difficult to play against, but we played a good match. We’re happy to qualify,” he added.As to whether he would prefer Portugal or Croatia in Monday’s last-16 match-up, Oyarzabal remarked: “It doesn’t matter who we face in the next round; I have friends in both teams.”Oyarzabal sets the toneLos Angeles Stadium was a sea of red and excitement over the first visit by a bona fide World Cup favourite to the US’s second city.Spain ratcheted up the pressure gradually through the first half, creating a string of chances after the first hydration break.Marc Cucurella thought he had scored from a Lamine Yamal corner, but Pau Cubarsi was judged to have encroached on Austria’s goalkeeper.Alexander Schlager then made a superb diving save, pushing Oyarzabal’s low shot around the post.