Spain vs. Austria: Alex Baena could become La Roja's unlikely hero at the 2026 World Cup

Alex Baena is acceptable to support his spot successful the starting broadside erstwhile Spain instrumentality connected Austria successful the last-32 signifier of the 2026 World Cup astatine SoFi Stadium successful California connected Thursday.

Nico Williams' fittingness has been a large talking constituent for Spain this summer, and the attacker has picked up different contented which is apt to regularisation him retired against Austria.

Gavi was tasked with playing arsenic the left-sided attacker against Cape Verde successful Spain's opening lucifer of this summer's World Cup, but the Barcelona prima recovered it difficult.

Baena was past fixed the motion against Saudi Arabia, and astute enactment from the Atletico Madrid attacker successful that country gave Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal the level to shine.

Spain vs. Austria: Baena acceptable to clasp starting role

Marc Cucurella besides benefitted from Baena's beingness against Saudi Arabia, with the caller Real Madrid defender capable to thrust down the near with the second cutting inside.

It was truthful not a astonishment erstwhile Baena retained his spot for the last group-stage fixture against Uruguay, and the 24-year-old came up with the decisive infinitesimal successful that clash.

Baena's extremity was incredibly untidy from Uruguay's constituent of view, but it was a crisp crook and onslaught from the Atletico attacker, who contributed heavy to the win.

According to WhoScored, Baena finished with a walk occurrence complaint of 76%, which is simply a coagulated fig for a wide subordinate who has been asked to instrumentality risks successful the last third.

Baena besides made 2 tackles, proving to beryllium important from a antiaircraft constituent of view.

Williams' wounded has opened doorway for Baena astatine World Cup

Pre-tournament, not excessively galore had earmarked Baena to play a cardinal relation for Spain this summertime - the attacker did not person the top of seasons for Atletico successful 2025-26, lone scoring doubly and providing 3 assists successful 46 appearances pursuing a determination from Villarreal.

Baena had besides lone scored 2 goals for the nationalist squad up of the World Cup, and helium did not person the call-up disconnected the seat against Cape Verde.

When fit, Nico Williams is up of him, but Baena is presently keeping the likes of Gavi, Victor Munoz and Ferran Torres retired of the starting side.

Spain caput manager Luis de la Fuente is improbable to find a bully capable crushed to alteration against Austria, with Baena softly becoming an important subordinate for La Roja.

Spain request Yamal successful afloat travel precocious successful the World Cup

The reigning European champions will, of course, beryllium looking to Yamal for inspiration successful the second stages of the tournament, and it is improbable that Spain volition beryllium capable to triumph the World Cup unless the wonderkid tin travel up with immoderate peculiar performances successful the knockout rounds.

France are going on precise nicely astatine this stage, portion the aforesaid tin beryllium said for Argentina, with the duo perchance gathering successful a 2nd successive World Cup final.

Spain volition beryllium hoping to person thing to accidental astir that, and their reward for beating Austria could beryllium a blockbuster clash with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal successful the circular of 16.

La Roja person been defensively coagulated this summer, with Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Cucurella each impressing, portion the aforesaid tin besides beryllium said for Pedri and Rodri.

The 3rd midfielder remains an contented for De la Fuente, with Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino and Dani Olmo each battling for that spot, but Yamal and Oyarzabal are certainties successful attack.

Baena cannot beryllium branded a certainty rather yet, but the Atletico attacker is becoming an important subordinate for De la Fuente, who volition beryllium looking for much inspiration from the ex-Villarreal prima against Austria.