Overview
- Spain beat Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles to secure a place in the World Cup last 16 with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
- Barcelona teammates Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí started together, creating the first pair of teenagers to start a World Cup knockout match since Pelé and José Altafini.
- Yamal returned from a left-hamstring tear treated with a non-surgical, load-managed rehab program and is having his minutes monitored to protect long-term fitness.
- While Yamal did not score against Austria he was a constant attacking threat and had earlier netted in Spain's 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, a form that has drawn public praise from figures such as Eden Hazard.
- A clip of Yamal's three-year-old brother celebrating in the stands went viral and left Yamal emotional after the match, reinforcing a strong family narrative around the young star.