Tribal Football

Porro and Olmo tipped to start for Spain in Austria showdown

Spain international Pedro Porro.
Spain international Pedro Porro.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente is expected to rotate his starting XI for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash with Austria.

La Roja finished top of Group G in the first phase of the competition as the defending European champions claimed seven points from three games after back-to-back wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay following an opening 0-0 draw with surprise package Cape Verde.

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De la Fuente is boosted by positive injury news on Victor Munoz, Lamine Yamal and Yeremy Pino, with Nico Williams set to be rested as a precaution.

Across the first three matches in North America, De la Fuente has kept changes to a minimum, with seven players starting all three and he could make just two alterations for the battle with Ralf Rangnick in Los Angeles.

Marcos Llorente covered at right-back against Uruguay last time out, as he did against Cape Verde, but De la Fuente is prepared to recall Pedro Porro as a specialist in the position.

In midfield, the physical presence of Mikel Merino was utilised against Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, but Barcelona's Dani Olmo could get the nod in the No.10 role for this game.

Former Real Madrid centre-back David Alaba will captain the Austrians and Sasa Kalajdzic could be kept on the bench despite scoring the late equaliser against Algeria to secure their place in the knockouts.

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