Can Spain turn control into goals against Austria?

Spain march into their World Cup last 32 clash against Austria at the SoFi Stadium tonight on the back of an unbeaten run of 34 matches, a defence yet to be breached and an old question still nagging away -- what happens when all that possession runs into a locked door? 

La Roja have won two and drawn one of their three Group H matches, conceding none while extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions (excluding penalty shootout losses) to within one game of the national record of 35, set between 2007 and 2009. Only Italy's 37-match run between 2018 and 2021 stands above them in men's international football. 

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On paper, there is little to criticise. In reality, there is still a tactical puzzle to solve. Spain's 0-0 draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde exposed the one weakness that has followed this generation from Qatar 2022. They monopolised possession, enjoyed 74 percent of the ball and fired 27 shots, yet found no way past a disciplined defence that stayed compact, conceded space in harmless areas and challenged Spain to find another solution. 

The similarities with their World Cup exit to Morocco four years ago were impossible to ignore. Once again, possession dominated the statistics but not the scoreboard. 

Against Cape Verde, Spain attempted 39 crosses but completed only eight when Gavi and Ferran Torres played on the flanks. They responded emphatically by thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 before edging Uruguay 1-0 to seal top spot, although Marcelo Bielsa's physical side presented another examination. Williams felt discomfort in his right leg, while Yeremy Pino suffered a shoulder injury. Both are not expected to feature against Austria, who are unlikely to make life any easier. 

Ralf Rangnick has guided his side to their first World Cup knockout appearance in 72 years, and another compact, disciplined defensive display is expected. Unlike Cape Verde, however, Austria possess enough quality to threaten on the counter, meaning Spain will need to strike a balance between patience and protection. 

Unai Simon has now gone 429 World Cup minutes without conceding. The next step is proving they can consistently unlock stubborn opponents when the margins narrow. 

The winners will face Portugal or Croatia in Thursday's last 16 showdown.

Highlights: 

**Spain are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Austria (W4 D1). Their most recent meeting ended in a 5-1 victory in 2009. Spain, however, will be wary after losing their only previous World Cup meeting with Austria 2-1 in 1978. 

**Spain have not won a World Cup knockout match since beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 final in Johannesburg. They have since been eliminated on penalties in each of their last two knockout ties, suffering shock last 16 exits to Russia in 2018 and Morocco in 2022. 

**Spain have scored just one goal across their last seven World Cup knockout matches against European opposition – their 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018. 

**Austria last reached the World Cup knockout stage nearly 72 years ago at the 1954 tournament, when they lost 6-1 to West Germany in the semis. 

**Spain have not conceded in their last four World Cup matches, equalling their longest clean-sheet run at the tournament, set during their triumphant 2010 campaign. 

**Austria have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12 World Cup matches since beating Algeria 2-0 in 1982. 

**Spain have kept a clean sheet in every match at this World Cup and are yet to face a first-half shot on target.