Alex Baena hit a free-kick against the crossbar and star forward Lamine Yamal had a late shot cleared on the goal-line.

Like co-hosts Mexico and title holders Argentina, who play their last 32 match on Friday, Spain are yet to concede a goal at the tournament in their four games against Cape Verde (0-0), Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0) and Austria.

Keeper Unai Simon set a World Cup record with now 519 minutes without conceding in a streak which started at the 2022 tournament.

In the last 16 on Monday, the 2010 champions will face Iberian neighbours Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric's Croatia, who play later Thursday.

“I am happy that I could help the team. It was a complicated match. We knew Austria wouldn't be easy but we had a good day,” Oyarzabal said. “We are happy but must continue in this way now.”

Austria, playing their first World Cup knock-out game in 72 years since coming third in 1954, rarely threatened.

Their best chance was a 61st minute header which went over from substitute Saša Kalajdžić, whose stoppage time equaliser against Algeria had kept them in the tournament.

Austria's Marcel Sabitzer said: “I am disappointed. We wanted to advance. Spain were better overall and deserved winner. We had good moments in the beginning but we were not good enough with the final pass.”

Spain had a first chance with just a minute elapsed but Yamal aimed at goalkeeper Alexander Schlager on the counter.

Dani Olmo then volleyed Yamal's cross from the right, only to hit Oyarzabal who was in the way, and Yamal went down a little too easy under a Konrad Laimer challenge to get a penalty.

Austria finally found a way forward and Michael Gregoritsch only narrowly failed to get his head on a long cross from Sabitzer.

The ball was in Austria's net from Cucurella in the 29th but the goal chalked off because Pau Cubarsi was deemed to have fouled Schlager who a minute later made a big save to turn a shot from Oyarzabal around the post.

Spain were finally ahead in the 36th when Oyarzabal tapped in a sharp cross from Cucurella who had plenty of space on the left.

It should have been 2-0 at the stroke of half-time but Schlager's hand and the crossbar kept out Alex Baena's free-kick, and Schlager incredibly denied Yamal from point blank range on the rebound.

Spain also dominated possession after the restart with Oyarzabal's effort easily saved by Schlager and Rodri's deflected shot going wide.

Veteran forward Marko Arnautović and Kalajdžić came on on the hour and Kalajdžić headed over Sabitzer's cross a minute later.

But the game was effectively in the bag for Spain when Cucurella found Baena on the left and Porro had lots of space to meet the cross with a thumping header for 2-0.

David Alaba cleared a shot from Yamal on the goal-line after a Spanish move accompanied by Olé chants from the fans but the third came in the 89th when Oyarzabal drilled home Cucurella's cross.

-- BERNAMA-dpa