Lamine Yamal megs Austria, Spain cruises into last 16
Spain qualified for the Round of 16, winning against Austria 3-0.
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Daily TribuneSpain qualified for the Round of 16, winning against Austria 3-0.
Breel Embolo #7 of Switzerland celebrates scoring his first goal of the tournament
Fran Santiago/Getty Images/AFP
Spain eased past Austria, 3-0, to book a Round of 16 clash with Portugal in the FIFA World Cup.
Marc Cucurella thought he had opened the scoring, but his goal was ruled out after VAR determined Spain had fouled Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager during a corner kick. Following a scramble inside the box, the ball fell to the former Chelsea fullback, who fired it into the net, only for the goal to be disallowed.
Despite failing to score, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal was named Superior Player of the Match after spearheading Spain's attack down the right flank.
The Barcelona winger repeatedly troubled Austria's defense, completing a game-high number of dribbles and nutmegging Bayern Munich midfielder Konrad Laimer three times in just 35 minutes.
With Nico Williams sidelined, Spain lacked a consistent threat on the left wing, allowing Austria to double- and triple-team Yamal for much of the match.
Still, Spain's midfield trio of Pedri, Rodri, and Dani Olmo dictated possession and controlled the tempo.
Mikel Oyarzabal finally broke the deadlock in the first half, calmly finishing Cucurella's cross to give Spain a 1-0 lead.
Álex Baena then recorded his first assist of the tournament, delivering a cross that Pedro Porro headed home for his first senior international goal to make it 2-0.
Oyarzabal sealed the victory in stoppage time, converting another Cucurella assist for his fourth goal of the tournament, moving him up the Golden Boot race.
Half-Filipino Austrian captain David Alaba started the match, but Austria struggled to match Spain's movement and trademark tiki-taka style.
Austria exited the tournament in the Round of 32 in its first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Spain advanced to the Round of 16, where it will face Portugal in a highly anticipated rematch of the UEFA Nations League final.
Switzerland defeated Algeria, 2-0, to advance to the Round of 16, earning its first World Cup knockout victory in nearly 90 years.
The Swiss struck in the 10th minute after Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi sliced through Algeria's defense before setting up Breel Embolo, who tapped home his first World Cup goal.
Algeria nearly responded through Houssem Aouar, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Although the Desert Foxes enjoyed stretches of possession, they struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.
Less than a minute into the second half, Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye doubled Switzerland's lead with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Algeria fought until the final whistle but could not find a breakthrough. Captain Riyad Mahrez endured a quiet outing as the Swiss defense kept the former Manchester City winger in check.
Switzerland now moves on to the Round of 16 after securing its first World Cup knockout win since the 1938 tournament.
