Published On 7/3/2026
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Last update: 09:26 (Mecca time)
The Spanish national team continued to confirm its strong return on the world stage, after achieving a set of historic numbers following its victory in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, in a match that carried many remarkable statistical indicators.
Spain recorded its first victory in the tournament’s elimination rounds since the 2010 final against the Netherlands (1-0), and also succeeded in scoring more than one goal in an elimination match for the first time since its victory over Switzerland (3-0) in the round of 16 in 1994.
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Unbeaten record with De La Fuente
Under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish national team continued its distinguished record in major tournaments (the World Cup and the European Nations Cup), as it was undefeated in 11 matches, during which it achieved 10 victories against one draw.
Only two European coaches, Aime Jacquet and Louis van Gaal, have surpassed this number in the history of the two tournaments, with 12 matches without defeat for each.
Unprecedented defensive toughness
The Spanish national team presented an exemplary defensive performance against Austria, as it did not allow any shots on goal, marking the first in the World Cup knockout rounds since the 2014 final between Germany and Argentina.
On the other hand, Austria continued its defensive struggle, after conceding goals in its last 13 matches in the World Cup, recording the third longest streak without a clean sheet for a European team in the history of the tournament, behind Switzerland (22 matches between 1934 and 1994) and Sweden (15 matches between 1974 and 1994).
An offensive boom in the 2026 World Cup
The Spanish national team won three out of four matches in the 2026 World Cup, which is the same number of victories it achieved in the previous three editions combined (one win in 2014, 2018 and 2022 for each edition).
Oyarzabal shines in the playoffs
Mikel Oyarzabal made tournament history after becoming the first Spanish player to score two goals in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueño against Denmark in 1986.
He also continued his scoring brilliance, scoring 16 goals for Spain since the beginning of 2025, and only Norwegian Erling Haaland has surpassed him in this period at the international level, with 22 goals.
Lamine Gamal continues to write history
Young star Lamine Gamal continued his brilliance, after winning every match he started with the Spanish national team in major tournaments (9 matches out of 9), becoming the second European player to achieve this number in his first nine starting matches, after Belgian Dries Mertens.
Spain also relied on Jamal (18 years old) and Pau Cobarci (19 years old) in the starting lineup, becoming the first team to start a World Cup elimination match with teenage players since Brazil in the quarter-finals in 1958, when Pele (17 years old) and Altafini (19 years old) participated.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon continued his brilliance, keeping clean sheets in five consecutive matches that he started in the World Cup, equaling the record of Italian Walter Zenga in the 1990 edition.
