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Mikel Oyarzabal's 2 goals send dominant Spain past Austria 3-0 and into round of 16 at the World Cup
By Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 5 min read
Although Spain arrived at this year's World Cup as a championship favorite and then went unbeaten through group play, those first three matches weren't overly impressive.When the knockout rounds finally arrived Thursday, this star-studded team turned on its full talent and served notice that Spai...
Key takeaway Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals and Spain beat Austria 3-0 for its first World Cup victory in a knockout match since winning the title in 2010.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For Houston-area soccer fans, Spain's dominant 3-0 win over Austria has significant implications, as La Roja will next face the winner of Portugal's match against Croatia in Dallas on Monday. This sets up a potential showdown with a top-tier team in the round of 16, which could draw the attention of local fans who follow international soccer. The fact that Spain has yet to allow a goal at this year's World Cup makes them a formidable opponent, and their upcoming match in Dallas will be closely watched by soccer enthusiasts in the Houston area. As Spain continues to make a deep run in the tournament, local fans may find themselves drawn to the team's impressive offense and stout defense, led by players like Mikel Oyarzabal and Unai Simón. With the World Cup capturing the attention of fans worldwide, the Houston area is likely to be abuzz with excitement as Spain takes the field in Dallas.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Although Spain arrived at this year's World Cup as a championship favorite and then went unbeaten through group play, those first three matches weren't overly impressive.When the knockout rounds finally arrived Thursday, this star-studded team turned on its full talent and served notice that Spai...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Beacham, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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