Austria coach: We have a difficult match against one of the World Cup favorites

Ralf Rangnick has made stopping Lamine Yamal his main concern before Austria's last-16 meeting with Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

The Austria coach praised the teenage winger, saying he is a pleasure to watch and could keep playing at this level for another 12 to 14 years, possibly longer. Rangnick said Spain's threat grows sharply if Yamal is allowed room to operate.

"The key to success is to not give him space," he said. "If he gets space, he can decide the game on his own."

Rangnick also described Spain as one of the leading contenders for the title, calling them one of the strongest teams in the world, European champions and a side that have gone a long time without defeat.

Even so, he believes Austria can still cause a surprise. He pointed to the early shocks already seen at the tournament and said his side want Tuesday's match to be another tight, unpredictable one. Rangnick added that Austria will need one of their best performances and that every player must produce at their peak against Spain.