European foes collide on the world stage this Thursday when Spain faces Austria in the round of 32 at SoFi Stadium.
La Roja are expected to come out on top as reigning European champions and one of this summer’s favorites for the World Cup, but their group stage campaign was not without its hiccups. An opening goalless draw with Cabo Verde wasn’t part of the plan, while the recent 1–0 win over Uruguay lacked the spark one usually associates with the Iberians.