FIFA WC: Spain boss demands more after Austria win

Los Angeles, July 2 (IANS) Head coach Luis de la Fuente described Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria as nearly faultless but warned tougher challenges await as La Roja seeks a second World Cup title.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored either side of Pedro Porro’s first international goal as Spain cruised into the round of 16 at Los Angeles Stadium.

“The big teams turn up when their presence is needed,” De la Fuente was quoted as saying by Xinhua. “I think today we’ve seen a great game. I’m happy because in all aspects we’ve been almost perfect, but we have to keep improving. Every match now is going to be very difficult.”

Spain will meet the winner of the match between Portugal and Croatia for a place in the quarterfinals.

Despite praising his team’s performance against Austria, De la Fuente said there was still scope for improvement.

“In the last 16, the opponents are now even more demanding. You can always improve and on top of that, it’s what this team demands. These players always want more and more. [Oyarzabal] showed the footballing potential he has – and the rest of his team-mates exactly the same. They played an extraordinary match.

Oyarzabal became the first Spain player since Emilio Butragueno in 1986 to score more than one goal for La Roja in a World Cup knockout match. The Real Sociedad forward has now scored four goals in this tournament, having also netted a brace in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the group stage.

“He’s an extraordinary footballer but a normal person. That’s his strength,” De la Fuente said.

The game was also notable for goalkeeper Unai Simon’s new record of 519 consecutive World Cup minutes without conceding a goal, eclipsing Walter Zenga’s previous record of 517 set in 1990. The clean sheet was Simon’s fifth in successive World Cup matches dating back to the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

–IANS

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