Austria's World Cup ends against Spain in California

Austria's World Cup campaign ended Saturday in the round of 32, eliminated by Spain in California (1). The 1–0 defeat sends Ralf Rangnick's side out of the tournament alongside European heavyweights Germany, Croatia and the Netherlands. It was a defiant run built on grit rather than stardom, a 3–3 thriller against Algeria in the group stage defined Austria's resilience. Lamine Yamal proved the difference, with Spain's right-back Marcos Llorente having made their plan explicit beforehand: get the ball to the winger.

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The mood among Austria supporters is one of quiet pride rather than despair. On Reddit, users noted Austria's exit alongside a brutal culling of UEFA sides from the round of 32, six European nations eliminated in one round. Read the discussion here.