I will admit it, that I wasn't completely convinced by Spain during the group stage. They looked solid enough, but there were moments when they did not seem as sharp as we have come to expect. After watching their 3-0 win over Austria, though, I think they are beginning to grow in to the tournament, finding the right rhythm, and that's a scary thought for every team still left in the tournament.
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Austria actually started with plenty of energy. They stayed compact, worked hard, and even got a bit of fortune when Marc Cucurella's goal was ruled out. For a few minutes I wondered if Spain would become frustrated, but they never lost their composure. They kept moving the ball, trusted their style, and waited for the opening.
When Mikel Oyarzabal scored just before halftime, it felt like the breakthrough was only a matter of time. He's one of those players who doesn't always dominate conversations before a match, but he has a real knack for delivering when Spain need him most. His finishing has been excellent throughout this tournament, and once again he proved why he's such an important player.
Austria had one big chance to get back into the game after the break. Sasa Kalajdzic came on and almost made an instant impact, but his header went over the bar. Looking back, that was probably the turning point. Had that chance gone in, we might have watched a very different second half.
Instead, Spain took complete control. Pedro Porro's goal knocked the fight out of Austria, and from there the result never really looked in doubt. Oyarzabal's second goal near the end simply put the finishing touch on a performance that became more convincing as the match went on.
What impresses me most is not just the attacking quality. It's how balanced this Spanish team looks. Everyone talks about Lamine Yamal because of his incredible talent, and it's easy to see why. But what has really caught my attention is how disciplined the entire team is. They defend together, stay patient, and rarely panic even when things don't go their way.
The next round will definitely be a bigger test, whether it's Portugal or Croatia. Those are teams that can punish even the smallest mistake. Still, if Spain continue playing with this level of confidence and organization, I honestly wouldn't bet against them.
This performance didn't just earn Spain a place in the next round but it sent a message. And that's the fact that they are growing stronger with every match, and I think the rest of the tournament should be paying close attention.
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