Top News

Premier League followers will recognise several familiar names when Austria faces Spain tonight.

Ralf Rangnick’s side progressed from Group J in second place, finishing behind reigning World Cup champions Argentina and ahead of Algeria and Jordan with a total of four points.

After a thrilling 3-3 draw in their final group match against Algeria, Austria now prepares to challenge Spain at the Los Angeles Stadium.

It will be a tough contest for the Austrians as they attempt to upset one of the tournament favourites. However, they will draw confidence from DR Congo’s near-upset against England the previous evening.

Austria’s squad is full of European experience, and Standard Sport takes a closer look at the key players to watch against Spain.

Austria’s first-choice goalkeeper, who represents Red Bull Salzburg, is expected to have a busy night despite Spain having one of the lowest shot-on-target rates (29.1%) among the remaining teams.

Once considered a world-class all-rounder, this veteran balanced solid defensive performances for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid with dynamic attacking contributions for Austria.

Now 34, he plays a more restrained role but remains a vital presence. His contract with Real Madrid expired yesterday, making him a free agent.

Despite suffering a broken jaw in the opening match, he continues to be chosen by Rangnick, highlighting his significance within the squad.

While not a guaranteed starter under Rangnick, the Tottenham defender is among the few Austrian players well known to Premier League supporters.

A former Chelsea midfielder currently at Borussia Dortmund, he represented England at youth level but switched allegiance to Austria, his country of birth, in March 2026.

He faces a major challenge in trying to contain Spain’s midfield. The player currently turns out for RB Leipzig.

Alongside his Leipzig teammate Schlager, he performs the industrious midfield duties, consistently reliable though often underappreciated.

He scored Austria’s first goal of the tournament, helping them secure their first World Cup victory since 1990 with a win over Jordan.

A former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder, now at Borussia Dortmund, he is known for his attacking instincts and is one of four players to have played every minute so far.

He showed glimpses of promise during a short loan spell at Old Trafford in 2023, though injuries limited him to just 11 appearances.

Regarded as Austria’s standout performer, he contributes across the pitch and brings top-level experience from his time under Vincent Kompany’s attacking Bayern Munich setup.

At 37, his continued presence up front perhaps reflects Austria’s reduced attacking depth, yet with two goals in three matches, he remains a genuine threat.

He previously enjoyed success in the Premier League with Stoke City and West Ham before joining Inter Milan, and now plays in Serbia.

A rising star at 20, he left Bayern Munich for PSV last summer and played a key role in their Eredivisie title-winning campaign.

Despite having suffered a broken jaw in the opening match, he remains part of Rangnick’s plans, a testament to his importance.

Kalajdzic, formerly of Wolves and plagued by three separate ACL injuries over five years, came off the bench to score a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria, ensuring Austria’s passage to the knockout stage.