Spain allowed just three shots on target in their three WC 2026 matches so far. I expect them to have high possession once again and advance over inconsistent Austria without conceding.
Key Stats
- Spain have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
- Spain have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches.
- Spain have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Austria.
16 Previous Meetings
Spain have a 9-4 advantage against Austria in terms of h2h victories, 3 matches ending without a winner.
Three Clean Sheets for Spain
Even though their World Cup 2026 campaign started with a shocking goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde (had 2.10 xG, 74% possession and 27 shots), Spain had no troubles topping Group H.
La Roja recovered from that initial draw by crushing Saudi Arabia 4-0, netting three goals in the first half. Mikel Oyarzabal stole the spotlight here, bagging a brace and providing an assist for Lamine Yamal who broke the deadlock.
Spain then limited Uruguay to just one shot on target in the final round and claimed deserved 1-0 victory, Alex Baena scoring the only goal in the 42nd minute on Marcos Llorente’s assist.
Austria Barely Made it to the Playoffs
Austria started WC 2026 with a 3-1 win against Jordan. Romano Schmid put them ahead early but the score was tied at half-time. The lead was regained in the 76th minute thanks to Al Arab’s own goal, while Marko Arnautovic finished the job in stoppage time.
They failed to replicate such attacking performance in the second match against Argentina, deservedly losing 2-0 while firing just one shot on target. The world champions even missed a penalty in the first half.
One of the biggest group-stage dramas came in the final-round clash between Algeria and Austria. Das Team needed just a point to advance, and Sasa Kalajdzic scored a 96th-minute equalizer to secure a 3-3 draw.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Spain (4-3-3) Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Dani Olmo, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena
Luis de la Fuente faces late fitness assessments for key wingers Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino before finalizing his lineup, while Victor Munoz is ruled out.
Austria (4-2-3-1) Alexander Schlager; Stefan Posch, Philipp Lienhart, David Alaba, Phillipp Mwene; Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald; Konrad Laimer, Romano Schmid, Marcel Sabitzer; Marko Arnautovic
David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic are the two most experienced players on the roster, both expected to start. Sasa Kalajdzic will probably get a chance again, especially if Austria needs an offensive response.