Spain in the last 16 and Austria's biggest test

Spain await, the biggest test yet

Your team face Spain in the World Cup round of 16, a match that will define this tournament (2) (3). Austria got here through grit and a wild 3–3 draw with Algeria in Kansas City. Spain are direct and fast, built to feed Lamine Yamal. Marcos Llorente has said it plainly: the plan is get the ball to the winger. Spain trained finishing drills ahead of this one (2). Austria's defence will have to be flawless.

Grimaldo: 'I know nothing about the Julián thing'

One Spanish player had other things on his mind. Álex Grimaldo faced questions about Julián Alvarez and Atlético de Madrid before the Austria match. His answer was short: "No se nada de lo de Julián", I know nothing about the Julián thing (3). The Spanish press wanted a transfer story. Grimaldo gave them nothing.

Ballo attracting interest from Saint-Étienne

Thierno Ballo could be on the move. Saint-Étienne are looking at the Wolfsberger AC midfielder as a potential replacement for Zuriko Davitashvili, though Millwall are also in the picture (1). French outlet morning-foot.com flagged his performance data from Austria against his numbers in England. The comparison does not flatter him (1).