Ralf Rangnick: The Disappointment is Immense, Spain Gave Us a Masterclass

Austria's head coach, Ralf Rangnick, didn't hide his profound disappointment after his team's emphatic exit from the World Cup Round of 16. His squad suffered a 3-0 defeat to Spain. The experienced tactician acknowledged the European champions' superiority, stating they had delivered a "masterclass" to his side.

"The disappointment in the locker room is immense. We had a completely different game plan for this match, but we have to be honest – today, Spain gave us a true lesson in modern football. We couldn't match their pressing and speed, and their ball control simply exhausted us physically and mentally," Rangnick stated succinctly immediately after the final whistle.

The German manager admitted that his team wasn't at the required level for a match of such magnitude.

"The Spanish showed why they are one of the big favorites for the World Cup title. We tried to make changes at halftime and refresh the midfield, but Porro's second goal crushed our hopes. It hurts, but we leave the tournament with our heads held high because of everything we've achieved so far," the specialist added.