WC26: Lamine Yamal Stars As Spain Routs Austria 3-0 To Reach Final 16

Spain defeated Austria 3-0 Thursday in the round of 32 at SoFi Stadium, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Lamine Yamal earning MVP honors in a commanding victory. Spain held a 2.80 to 0.29 edge in xG (expected goals) . Oyarzabal now has four goals and an assist at the tournament after bookending a Pedro Porro header.  Yamal, 18, played 85 minutes in his most extended World Cup appearance after returning from injury. He registered six shots, four on target, created two chances and won possession five times. "The World Cup starts now," said Yamal. "If you lose, you go home [in the knockout phase]. And we don't want that, none of us want that." Yamal was direct about his physical condition heading into the knockout rounds. "I'm good. Now I'm 100%," he said. "I'm ready to play whatever the boss wants. I need to keep resting and looking after myself, but I'm 100%. "We all wanted to go to Dallas and play the last 16. Little by little, I'm feeling like myself again, making the runs I need to, dribbling, and I'm very happy." Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was encouraged but measured in his assessment. "I have many reasons to be happy today," said de la Fuente. "We won, and the image of the team was fantastic. ... We feel great. It's a process, but in the next match there's still room for improvement. "Perhaps you saw what you think is the best of us, but our spirit is to keep on improving. This team hasn't reached its limit, there's much to do. I thank [Rangnick] for his words, but we're not yet satisfied." Austria coach Ralf Rangnick offered a pointed endorsement, predicting Spain could win the tournament and calling Yamal "one of the biggest talents we've seen at his age." Spain face Portugal on Monday in Dallas.