Young Spanish national team forward Lamine Yamal emphasized that the crucial phase for La Roja in the 2026 World Cup has just begun. The player made this statement following a convincing 3-0 victory over Austria in the round of 32, which took place at SoFi Stadium early Friday (3/7) morning WIB.
The victory was achieved thanks to a major contribution from Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored two goals, along with an additional goal from Pedro Porro. This positive result also silenced critics who had previously doubted the quality of Spain's performance during the group stage. Now, Luis de la Fuente's squad is once again seen as a serious title contender.
In the match against Austria, Yamal dominated for 85 minutes and was named the player of the match (MVP). This marked Yamal's longest playing time in the tournament, while also signaling his physical recovery post-injury. The Barcelona player recorded four shots on target and created two golden opportunities that troubled the opponent's defense.
"The World Cup only starts now. In the knockout stage, one defeat means going home, and we don't want that," Yamal said during a post-match media briefing. He added that his physical condition has reached 100 percent and he is ready to play in any position for the team's tactical needs.
Looking ahead to the next match, Spain faces a tough test. They are scheduled to face Portugal in a fierce round of 16 duel at Dallas Stadium next Monday (6/7). Yamal admitted he is enthusiastic about the big match, showing high confidence in the team's continuously improving performance.
