04/07/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 4, 2026

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lisingly promising. 2026 WORLD CUP Are you watching, Portugal? Spain peaking at right time after comfortable win over Austria W HILE all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out fire after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam. For Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his tally against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pin point crosses from Marc Cucurella. In between those goals came a first interna away from the all-time international record, set by Roberto Mancini’s Italy team who won Euro 2020. For keeper Unai Simon, No. 1 over Arsenal’s David Raya, a fifth

But De la Fuente refused to get carried away, insisting there was still plenty of room for improvement and warning that “satisfaction can kill”. “I have many reasons to be happy today. First because of the victory, we won significantly and the image of the team was fabulous,” De la Fuente told reporters. “But there is still room for improve ment. Perhaps you think you have seen the best of us, but this team has not yet reached its capabilities. There is more to do.” De la Fuente said Spain’s progress had been built on a long-term process rather than one standout performance and stressed that the knockout rounds would demand even higher standards. “Today’s performance should be the foundation for what comes next,” he said. “We are going to keep improving and

consecutive World Cup clean sheet, tying Italy in 1990 and Switzerland between 2006 and 2010. And it’s the first time they’ve scored more than one goal in a knockout game since 1994, would you believe? The omens for the

power. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective, well-rounded team bet ter at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja . In Los Angeles yesterday, they made a state ment. Across the board, the Spanish had too much suave and poise for an Austrian outfit who, he was delighted with his team’s per formance in their 3-0 win in the World Cup last 32 against Austria – but admitted he would have liked to score. “I was just missing a goal or an assist,” said the 18-year-old Barcelona sensation, who was named man of the match. “But as long as we win and advance to the next round, that’s what matters,” he told journalists in Los Angeles. Pressed by one reporter on why he seemed glum after a World Cup knock out win, Yamal insisted he was happy inside, even if he didn’t show it outwardly. “I really am happy. That match is over, and now we have to think about the next one,” he said. “I’m very grateful for the affection shown to me in every stadium. It helps me step onto the pitch more motivated,” he added. Yamal, who will turn 19 on July 13, reiter ated that his dream is to be a World Cup winner at the final in New Jersey on July 20. “There’s nothing better than the World Cup,” he said. “When a kid dreams about football, they dream of playing in the World Cup. I want to advance through the rounds and win with Spain.” He added: “We aren’t afraid of any team. We are Spain. We have to prove it on the pitch.” Yamal did briefly break into a smile when one journalist showed him a video of his three-year-old brother celebrat ing the victory in the Los Angeles stands. “It moves me to see my brother, my mother and my friends happy … My brother is like a son to me. I adore him,” AUSTRIA coach Ralf Rangnick said his side’s World Cup journey came to an end against an opponent operating at a different level after a comprehensive defeat by Spain in the Round of 16 yes terday. Spain, one of the favourites to lift the trophy, dominated possession and dic tated the tempo throughout, ending Austria’s best World Cup run in more than four decades and underlining why they remain among the strongest con tenders for the title. “Today we met an opponent who is simply in a class of its own and where it was actually difficult to stand up to them for 90 minutes,” Rangnick told reporters. Austria had exceeded expectations by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since 1982 after surviving one of the most dramatic group-stage finales of the tournament.

tional goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, who took advantage of his starting pick ahead of Marcos Llorente. A tougher test lies in wait in the last 16 in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Records continue to tumble for Luis de la Fuente’s unrelenting outfit. They’ve now levelled the 35-game unbeaten run of the 2007-2009 golden generation and are now just two games

Spanish are tanta

I was just missing a goal, says Yamal SPAIN star Lamine Yamal said yesterday he said

The comfortable win yes terday was also a fourth straight clean sheet for Spain, who are yet to con cede a goal at this World Cup. “Today we came close to perfection from the 20th minute until the end of the match,” said goal keeper Unai Simon. “We have to keep maintaining that level to keep advancing through the stages,” he said. Asked whether he would prefer to face Portugal or Croatia in

doing things better … We are not yet satisfied, we are going for more.” De la Fuente cau tioned against believing Spain had reached their peak after another impressive defensive dis play in which Austria failed to register a shot on target. “There were situations where we lacked high pressure. You need to keep improving all the time,” he said. “When you get flattered and believe it, you become weaker. Satisfaction can kill you.” The 65-year-old was full of praise for his left back Marc Cucurella, who provided two assists for Oyarzabal, calling him “invaluable” and “a top notch player”. “The next phase will be increas ingly demanding,” De la Fuente added. “We have wonderful players, but the only focus is to exceed our own expectations.” – The Independent/ Reuters Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (left) celebrates scoring their third goal with Gavi during yesterday’s World Cup match against Austria at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. – REUTERSPIC

the round of 16 in Dallas on Monday, Simon declined to pick. “Whenever we’ve played against either Portugal or Croatia,

they’ve made things incredibly difficult for us – in general play, in pressing and in set pieces,” he said. “Both teams have players with spectacular set-piece delivery – I wouldn’t want to face either of them,” he admit ted. Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a later match to set up the tanta lising clash with La Roja on July 7 at 3am Malaysian time. – AFP

Yamal

Lamine

Austria head home after mauling

ensuring Austria build on their progress by qualifying for the next European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. “Our objective is clear,” he said. “We want to continue developing this team, keep improving and make sure we are back at major tournaments.” Austria leave the United States with a record of one win, one draw and two defeats after producing one of their best World Cup campaigns in decades. The country has now appeared at seven World Cups, with third place in 1954 remaining its best finish. Before this year’s tournament, Austria had not reached the knockout rounds since 1982, making their run to the last 16 a significant step forward despite their elimination at the hands of a Spain side that Rangnick believes has all the quali ties needed to go all the way. – Reuters/Agencies

Yamal, who had been one of the stars of the tournament. “I think we defended him quite well overall,” Rangnick said. “But Spain are not only about one player.” Austria, by contrast, struggled to cre ate opportunities of their own. They failed to register a shot on target as Spain’s relentless pressing and domi nance in midfield prevented them from building sustained attacks. Despite the defeat, Rangnick insisted the tournament represented an impor tant milestone for Austrian football rather than a disappointment. “I’m proud of what this team has achieved,” he said. “We have shown that we belong on this stage and gained experience that will help us in the future.” The former Manchester United man ager said attention would now turn to

Their thrilling 3-3 draw with Algeria, sealed by a stoppage-time equaliser, secured second place in Group J and sparked celebrations after a 44-year wait to progress beyond the group stage. That achievement, however, counted for little against a Spanish side brim ming with confidence and attacking quality. Rangnick said Austria had tried to stay compact and deny Spain space between the lines, but admitted the European champions consistently found solutions. “They have outstanding quality in every position,” he said. “You work hard to stop one player and then another creates the danger.” The Austria coach was nevertheless encouraged by the way his defenders coped with teenage winger Lamine