After Spain win, Yamal says 'World Cup starts now'...
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- Spain beat Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium in the World Cup round of 32, advancing to face either Portugal or Croatia in Dallas on Monday.
- Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice either side of a Pedro Porro header, taking the forward's tournament tally to four goals and an assist.
- Lamine Yamal, 18, played 85 minutes — his longest World Cup outing — recording six shots (four on target), two chances created, and five ball recoveries on his way to MVP honors.
- Yamal told reporters he's '100%' fit after his injury layoff and 'ready to play whatever the boss wants,' adding that 'the World Cup starts now' once knockout football begins.
- Austria coach Ralf Rangnick called Yamal 'one of the biggest talents we've seen at his age' and said Spain showed 'their best performance,' predicting they could be 'the next world champions.'
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente downplayed coronation talk, insisting 'this team hasn't reached its limit, there's much to do' and that 'in the next match there's still room for improvement.'
Why it matters: Spain finally produced the performance their pre-tournament favorite status demanded, and a fit Yamal transforms them from dark-horse contender to clear knockout-stage threat — the same test on which elite World Cup campaigns are made or broken. De la Fuente's open caveat that his side 'hasn't reached its limit' means Spain are improving into the sharpest part of the tournament, not past it.
