[Saba Sports News] In the previous World Cup Round of 16 match, Austria suffered a crushing 0-3 defeat against Spain and exited the tournament at the group of 32 stage. Faced with the powerhouse Spain, Austria were outplayed across all areas throughout the game. Austria managed only five shots in total without a single effort on target, leaving them with virtually no chance of securing a win. The last time a team failed to register any shots on target in a World Cup knockout fixture dates back to the 2014 final, where Argentina, who lost to Germany after extra time, failed to test the opposition goalkeeper for the entire 90 minutes. Frustrated by their side’s sustained defensive pressure and helpless about their impending elimination, Austria captain David Alaba lost his temper and shouted angrily at teammate Florian Grillitsch after clearing a goal-bound chance late in the game. Grillitsch responded by defending himself fiercely, sparking an on-pitch argument between the two players.
The editor believes that after this match, injury-plagued David Alaba has not only bid a sad farewell to the World Cup stage but may also retire from the Austrian national team for good. This summer, Alaba has already left Real Madrid, and his next club remains unknown.