Are you watching, France? How Spain made World Cup statement

While all the attention is on France's ludicrous attacking firepower, Argentina's ultimate talisman Lionel Messi and England's saviour Harry Kane, Spain have plotted a methodical and stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup.

It's easy to forget they were pre-tournament favourites, as a shock opening draw with Cape Verde and the performances of various global superstars has seen La Roja drop down the betting. It's hard to argue against France being the team to beat at this World Cup but, as Kieran Jackson writes, in terms of a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there might not be a better collective, well-rounded side than Spain, who are peaking at just the right time.

In Los Angeles last night, they made a statement. Across the board, the Spanish were too suave and had too much poise for an Austrian outfit who, after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam and duly slipped to a 3-0 defeat in the last 32.

For the ever-underrated Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his double against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pinpoint crosses from Real Madrid-bound Marc Cucurella. Don't forget to consider a first international goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, an unbeaten run that has now reached 35 games and the fact they still haven't conceded a goal at this World Cup. The omens for the Spanish are suddenly tantalisingly promising...

It's fair to say that England would love to have had Spain's smooth passage into the last 16 but instead, they've relied on captain Kane to bail them out. Miguel Delaney has dived into the secret behind the striker's greatness and why this World Cup is different. Let's hope the end result is as well.

And Spain also discovered their opponents in the last 16 in Dallas on Monday: it will be an Iberian match-up against Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo (who scored his first World Cup knockout goal via a penalty) and his teammates saw off the challenge of Croatia with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto. Richard Jolly was in Toronto and saw drama aplenty: late goals, VAR interference and most shockingly of all, Ronaldo being substituted. 

Luke Baker | Deputy Sports Editor

Essential reading