ALEXANDER SCHLAGER
90 Minutes
Austria's biggest winner of this World Cup – after these brilliant performances, it would be no surprise if the Salzburg native were to make the leap out of Austria. Against Spain, he was not just once Austria's last saviour. However, it is also true that he is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the "Arsenal rule," which is supposed to particularly protect goalkeepers after corners – as seen before Cucurella's disallowed goal. Ultimately, he could do nothing about any of the three goals. The best player in an ÖFB jersey on this day.
STEFAN POSCH
85 Minutes, Yellow Card
It simply wasn't the Styrian's World Cup. Sustained a jaw fracture in the first game, after that simply not his old self. The Spanish game was often too fast for him; the first two goals came down his side: for the 1-0, he was lured out of position and then missing on the wing; before the 2-0, he lost the decisive challenge. However, one must not forget his strong defensive action against Olmo in the first half. Shortly after receiving a yellow card, he was substituted for the final phase.
KEVIN DANSO
90 Minutes
A mixed performance for the Styrian, who once again got the nod over Lienhart this time. Far too often not close enough to the dangerous Spanish attackers, but there were also one or two good defensive actions. His few progressive passes almost never reached their target.
DAVID ALABA
90 Minutes
It would be a great shame if this were to be the end for him in the ÖFB team. Should it come to that, it was a more than worthy end to a truly great national team career. The captain marshalled and held his defence together as best he could. A bit too far from Oyarzabal for the 0-1, but made a brilliant goal-line clearance against Yamal in the final phase.
KONRAD LAIMER
90 Minutes
Perhaps the most thankless game of his career. After a cautious start, he became Yamal's personal plaything in the first half: two nutmegs, constantly bypassed – almost always coming off second best in duels with the youngster. After the change of ends, the Bayern player fought his way into the game and also had one or two good attacking ideas. Before the 3-0, he lacked the energy to close down assist-provider Cucurella.
NICOLAS SEIWALD
45 Minutes
Substituted at half-time – that had not happened under Rangnick at all and speaks for itself. The game started for the Leipzig player with a slip that could have ended quite badly. After that, with a few good ball recoveries, but otherwise not much to shine.
XAVER SCHLAGER
45 Minutes
Unfortunately, his fourth World Cup appearance was also not one where the Upper Austrian, now officially club-less, could recommend himself for a top transfer. A terrible loss of possession right at the start, then somewhat more stable and with some ball recoveries, before he had to come off at half-time.
ROMANO SCHMID
60 Minutes
If Austria managed anything resembling attacking actions in the first half, it was always with his involvement. However, the longer the game lasted, the less he managed – eventually hardly anything as a right midfielder after the change of ends. Substituted after just over an hour.
PAUL WANNER
90 Minutes
For a long, long time, the game passed him by. Only towards the end of the first half did he have his first successful touches. After the half-time break, he was pulled back from the number ten role to the number six and was hardly seen there. To his credit, he showed great commitment in defensive play this time, covering a lot of ground – even if he lacked a bit of decisiveness in his challenge before Baena's cross for the 2-0.
MARCEL SABITZER
90 Minutes
One of the players with the least to reproach himself for. Did a lot of important "dirty work" in defence, and consistently delivered good crosses from the left into the centre in attack. Unfortunately, Gregoritsch was once too short, Kalajdzic once leaned back too much, and Posch once a bit too indecisive. But of course, not everything he attempted came off either.
MICHAEL GREGORITSCH
60 Minutes
A very difficult game for him until his substitution. Often sought with long balls – not least for his biggest chance after 18 minutes, when he was just too short for Sabitzer's cross. Hardly touched the ball at all – and when he did, it even posed a threat to the Austrian goal, as he unintentionally but perfectly set up Yamal with a header for a big chance just before half-time.
CARNEY CHUKWUEMEKA
from 46th Minute
His substitution was meant to bring some flair to the red-white-red game, but in reality, he mostly got stuck during his not-so-infrequent dribbling attempts. One of Austria's few shots on goal was credited to him, but the shooting position after a nice combination was unfavourable.
FLORIAN GRILLITSCH
from 46th Minute
Came into the game to give Austria much-needed ball security – and immediately committed a horrendous turnover. He got revenge for a nutmeg from Yamal with a good ball win against the youngster, but then played a loose ball straight to Cucurella's feet before the 0-2. On a creative level, nothing came off.
SASA KALAJDZIC
from 60th Minute
He almost gave Austria a brief glimmer of hope. For Sabitzer's cross, everything was actually perfect, except his positioning relative to the ball. But it would have almost been too cheesy if his very first touch had resulted in a goal again. Shortly before the end, he had a good passing idea for Chukwuemeka's shot.
MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
from 60th Minute
His last red-white-red dance. His effort could certainly not be denied – this was evident, not least, in the force with which he challenged Spain's goalkeeper Simon. Nicely flicked on with his heel for Chukwuemeka's shot just before the end, otherwise unfortunately hardly on the ball.
ALEXANDER PRASS
from 85th Minute
insufficient time played
