Spain arrive in Los Angeles as the tournament's most controlled outfit: top of Group H, unbeaten, and yet to concede a single goal across three matches. After the eyebrow-raising 0-0 with Cabo Verde they roared into gear with a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia — Lamine Yamal a goal and an assist — before edging Uruguay. De la Fuente's reigning European champions blend positional patience with genuine cutting edge, and few defences in the world are set up to smother Austria's transitions the way this one can.

Austria are a compelling story — Rangnick's relentless pressing carried them to a first World Cup knockout since 1954 — but the same aggression that beat Jordan 3-1 also produced a chaotic 3-3 with Algeria and a 2-0 loss to Argentina. Against Spain's rotations that press becomes a liability. Spain are unbeaten in the last five meetings (W4 D1), winning the last two by four-goal margins. Expect Spain to work the openings, strike either side of half-time, and manage the game out. A 2-0 that flatters Austria's resistance feels right.