5 reasons why Spain could threaten France in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup | Football News
Spain continued their impressive campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Austria in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Polo added another as Luis de la Fuente’s side sealed their place in the last 16 with another dominant performance.The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten streak in all competitions to 34 games. With four clean sheets in four World Cup games and a squad full of in-form stars, Spain now looks to be one of the strongest contenders for the title. If both teams continue to win, they could set up a blockbuster semi-final match against France.
Spain’s form, defense and star players make them genuine fifa world cup 2026 Contenders
Spain has quietly emerged as one of the most complete teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their recent victory over Austria showed why many believe they are capable of lifting the trophy.The European champions are currently unbeaten in 34 consecutive games in normal competition. Their last defeat was in March 2024 against Colombia. Since then, Luis de la Fuente has built a team that combines confidence, discipline and attacking quality. This unbeaten run gave Spain huge confidence and made them one of the most difficult teams to beat.Their defense was equally impressive. Spain has yet to concede a goal in four World Cup games. Goalkeeper Unai Simon excelled in all positions. And centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Paulo Cubasi have formed a reliable partnership. The experienced Laporte provided leadership, while youngster Kubasi continued to impress with his composure and reading of the game.The Spanish midfielder also has strength. Pedri continues to control the game with his passing and movement, while the team’s quick transition makes them dangerous when winning possession.Offensively, Mikel Oyarzabal has been one of the standout performers. He scored two stunning goals against Austria, taking his tally for the tournament to four. While he may not get as much attention as other strikers, his intelligent movement, finishing and work rate make him an important player for Spain.Lamine Yamal is another player who is getting a lot of attention. The young winger continues to thrill with his dribbling and creativity. Against Austria, he often beat defenders with his clever footwork. He created several dangerous moments. Although he did not score, his performance showed that he is returning to his best form after recent health issues.Spain also looked dangerous down the left side. Marc Cucurella and Álex Baena were outstanding throughout the game. Cucurella’s attacking runs created two goals, while Baena’s runs stretched the Austrian defense and opened up space for his teammates.Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Spain is their balance. They defend well, control possession through the midfield and have multiple players capable of scoring goals. Every area of the team performs well at the right time.Their next knockout game will be a tougher test, but Spain have shown they are up for the challenge. If they continue to perform like this, they will be one of the favorites to advance to the finals.
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