Lamine Yamal declared Spain's World Cup journey truly begins now following their commanding 3-0 victory over Austria at SoFi Stadium. The Barcelona star, named MVP, helped propel Spain into the round of 16 with a performance that coach Luis de la Fuente suggested was their best yet. Yamal, now fully match-fit after injury, played 85 minutes, contributing six shots and creating two chances.

Spain's attacking trio of Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedro Porro, and Yamal overwhelmed Austria. Oyarzabal netted twice, bringing his tournament tally to four goals and an assist, while Porro added a header. This dominant display silenced earlier group stage concerns and solidified Spain's status as pre-tournament favorites, a sentiment echoed by Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick, who predicted Spain could win the entire tournament.

Yamal's confidence is high, stating he is "100%" ready for knockout play, where defeat means elimination. The win sets up a round of 16 clash in Dallas against either Portugal or Croatia. Despite the strong showing, de la Fuente cautioned that improvement is still possible, emphasizing the team's drive to reach its full potential.