Spain aims to silence critics before World Cup knockout clash with Austria

Spain’s national team entered the World Cup round of 16 under heavy criticism from the Spanish press after a mixed group‑stage performance – a goalless draw with Cape Verde, a 4‑0 victory over Saudi Arabia and a narrow 1‑0 win against Uruguay. Coach Luis de la Fuente stressed the need to respond on the field, noting that while France is seen as a favorite, “favoritism alone does not guarantee anything.”

Young forward Lamine Yamal, who recently returned from injury, rejected the notion that France is superior, stating “France is not better than Spain; they didn’t beat us at the Euros.” His teammate Álex Baena backed the comment, emphasizing the squad’s confidence. The upcoming match against Austria, played in Los Angeles, is viewed as a decisive moment that could either reaffirm Spain’s status as a top contender or deepen the scrutiny of its recent performances.

Both the coach and players highlighted the importance of staying focused on the next game, with De la Fuente saying the “most important match right now is tomorrow’s.” The outcome will shape Spain’s path toward the quarter‑finals and potentially silence the growing media pressure.