The FIFA World Cup has reached the knockout stage, with Spain set to face Austria in a major round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2. Spain, the Euro 2024 champions, are the clear favorites despite Austria’s impressive group-stage performance, which included a draw with France and a win over the Netherlands.

Spain’s Strengths and Expectations

Spain enters the game having secured two wins and a draw in the group stage, though the team is expected to rely heavily on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who will be making his first appearance in a knockout match. Mikel Oyarzabal is also expected to play a key role in converting chances created by Spain’s midfield trio of Yamal, Pedri, and Rodri, according to PCMag.

Spain’s coach. Luis de la Fuente. Acknowledges the high expectations but is confident in his team’s ability to deliver. “We’re continuing to grow under pressure, I love that high expectations are placed on us,” de la Fuente said ahead of the game, according to USA Today. “Now it’s up to us to live up to those expectations.”

Austria’s Challenge and Historic Return

Austria, making a return to the World Cup after 28 years and to the knockout stage after 44 years, earned their place in this match with a balanced group-stage performance of one win, one draw, and one loss. They will need standout performances from players like Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba, and Marko Arnautović to stand a chance against the favored Spanish side.

Austria’s last match was a 3-3 draw against Algeria on June 27, while Spain concluded their group stage with a 1-0 win over Uruguay on June 26, giving them five days of rest before this high-stakes match, according to USA Today.

How to Watch the Spain vs. Austria Match

The match will be broadcast on FOX and Telemundo in the United States and can be streamed on FOX Sports, FOX One, Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube, and YouTube TV. For international viewers. Using a streaming subscription or a virtual private network (VPN) could help access the live stream, according to PCMag.

For those who prefer the digital format, Coinbase offers a prediction market for the first-half total of the match, which will close on July 2, 2026, at 7:50 p.m. GMT+0 or when a result is available.

Spain’s performance in this match could determine their path to the Round of 16, while Austria will look to make history by advancing for the first time since 1978.