Austria were a bit lucky to reach the eighth final in the World Cup. The reward was a match against European champions Spain. Pedri hopes Austria will line up in the conventional way.
Spain made it through the group stage with few worries after a draw in their opening match against Cape Verde. In the last group match, they faced Uruguay, where Marcelo Bielsa used his usual high-pressure and intense style to upset the Spaniards. It caused problems at times, but Alex Baena’s goal in the first half was enough for a 1-0 victory.
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The way I see it, Spain is the only team that can stop a fantastically strong France, but then they need to beat Austria first. (The two giants can only meet in the Semi-finals.
Next up is Austria, and Pedri is unsure if Ralf Rangnick will use his usual tactics with low blocks and counter-attacks – but admits that it brings more joy as a player if Austria dares to face them higher.
“It’s rare that a team has ambitions to pressure us. Uruguay went head-to-head – Bielsa’s style – and made it difficult. Against us we usually find low blocks and seeing the game in front of you makes you feel better. You touch the ball more, you are more in touch with the team game,” the Barcelona star told Mundo Deportivo.
“We still have to analyze Austria and see what game we think they will play. But yes, they are a national team that has improved, with a lot of ambition in that area.
Spain’s adjustments – and Yamal’s threat
Spain have had to make tactical adjustments due to injuries. Winger twins Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, who were crucial during their Euro 2024 triumph, have not been able to play together – Williams’ injury has forced De la Fuente to use Baena, who is more of an attacking midfielder than an open winger.
Pedri explains:
“At the European Championships, we had Nico and Lamine very wide on the edges, and we made the pitch big. Now we have had injuries – things that happen in football – and we have to try to change that. Baena’s profile is not like a winger finding space, he tries more to get in – but you have to adapt. We know that even if we don’t have the two wings, Baena is doing very well.
The absence of Williams has put even more emphasis on passing the ball to Yamal – causing problems for Austria’s left-back Phillip Mwene.
“He has everything that characterizes a world-class winger – great technique and speed in one-on-one,” says Mwene.
“You won’t be able to keep him quiet 100 percent of the time. This is similar to Mbappé or Messi – they want moments. In a one-on-one situation, you can hardly stop Yamal. We have to try to create situations where we have a lot of players around him and give him as little space as possible. If we act together as a team, we have already shown that we can eliminate world-class players.
Austria had to rely on a goal from Sasa Kalajdzic in the 96th minute to salvage a 3-3 draw against Algeria and secure advancement.
World Cup 2026: Team news for Spain vs Austria
Spain will probably have to do without Yeremy Pino (shoulder), Williams (adductor) and Victor Muñoz (thigh). Baena should keep his place on the left wing. Fabián Ruiz could come in for Mikel Merino.
Austria has no new worries and can field the same team as against Algeria.
Spain vs Austria: Predicted line-ups for the 2026 World Cup
Spain (4-3-3): Simón – Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella – Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri – Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal
Austria (4-2-3-1): A. Schlager – Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene – Seiwald, X. Schlager – Laimer, Schmid, Sabitzer – Arnautović
World Cup 2026: Key figures for Spain vs Austria
- Spain won at least two group stage matches in one World Cup edition for the first time since 2010 – keeping a clean sheet for the first time in the club’s history.
- Spain has had no less possession than their opponent in a World Cup match since the 2002 quarter-finals against South Korea (49 percent) – 25 consecutive games with higher possession.
- Spain is the second team in the 2026 World Cup to finish the group stage without conceding a goal – after Mexico.
- Rodri has attempted (350) and completed (328) the most passes of all remaining players. The Manchester City player has also delivered the most successful passes in the final third (109).
- Aymeric Laporte has carried the ball the longest (1059 meters) and the most progressive distance (868.7 meters).
- Austria have advanced from the group stage for the first time since 1982.
- Saša Kalajdžić scored 61 seconds after coming on as a substitute – the third fastest goal by a substitute at this year’s World Cup, and the eighth fastest ever.
- Marko Arnautović became the first player in at least 37 years to both score and receive a yellow card in the same World Cup match.
- Arnautović has scored two goals in the World Cup since the age of 37. Only Lionel Messi (6), Roger Milla (5) and Cristiano Ronaldo (3) have scored more as 37-year-olds or older.
- Austria have conceded at least one goal in twelve straight World Cup matches – only Switzerland (22) and Sweden (15) have had longer streaks among European teams.
World Cup 2026: Spain vs. Austria prediction
Spain will be too strong for an Austrian team that seems to have regressed since Euro 2024.
Prediction: Spain 3-0 Austria
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