Spain and Austria meet this Thursday in the Round of 32 of the World Cup, a clash with a history full of unfinished business. Although La Roja have dominated the most recent meetings, the past hides battles that demand maximum caution from Luis de la Fuente’s side.
The most bitter memory for the Spanish national team dates back to the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. On that occasion, the Austrian side won 2-1 in the group stage, a painful defeat that ended up costing Spain an early exit from the tournament.
However, football always offers revenge, and the sweetest one came in 1999 on the road to the European Championship. Mestalla witnessed a historic night when Spain crushed Austria with an undeniable 9-0, led by a legendary display from Raúl González.
The latest meeting between the two national teams dates back to November 2009, in a very different context. Spain visited Vienna as reigning European champions and swept aside their opponent with a commanding 1-5 win that confirmed their golden era.
The overall record smiles on La Roja, but World Cup knockout ties do not care about the past. This Thursday, De la Fuente’s men will look to impose their favoritism to book their place in the quarter-finals and confirm that history remains on their side.
The most bitter memory for the Spanish national team dates back to the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. On that occasion, the Austrian side won 2-1 in the group stage, a painful defeat that ended up costing Spain an early exit from the tournament.
However, football always offers revenge, and the sweetest one came in 1999 on the road to the European Championship. Mestalla witnessed a historic night when Spain crushed Austria with an undeniable 9-0, led by a legendary display from Raúl González.
The latest meeting between the two national teams dates back to November 2009, in a very different context. Spain visited Vienna as reigning European champions and swept aside their opponent with a commanding 1-5 win that confirmed their golden era.
The overall record smiles on La Roja, but World Cup knockout ties do not care about the past. This Thursday, De la Fuente’s men will look to impose their favoritism to book their place in the quarter-finals and confirm that history remains on their side.
2 months ago
