Oyarzabal stars as Spain brush Austria aside
Spain underlined their tournament-winning credentials with a comprehensive and ruthlessly efficient 3-0 victory over Austria to move through to the next knockout round for the first time since their World Cup triumph in 2010.
Much of the spotlight is rightfully on Yamine Lamal, who was dazzling at the SoFi Stadium, but Mikel Oyarzabal starred, with his two clinical first-time finishes - both from Marc Cucurella crosses - helping the reigning European champions to a well-deserved win. The Real Sociedad striker now has 17 goals in his last 16 starts for the national team, and his brace saw him become the first Spaniard to score more than once in a World Cup knockout fixture since Emilion Butragueno bagged four against Denmark in 1986.
The way Spain strolled off the pitch swiftly after the full-time whistle illustrated that the commanding nature of the victory is business as usual. It was a complete performance from Luis de la Fuente’s side, who remain one of the favourites to lift the famous old trophy on July 19. Spain have yet to concede at this World Cup and their rock solid defence has given up chances worth just 0.9 xG.
Switzerland record first knockout victory in 88 years
Switzerland have clicked into gear and progressed from a World Cup knockout tie for the first time since 1938, surging into the Round of 16 courtesy of a 2-0 win over Algeria in Vancouver.
Johan Manzambi’s breakout tournament continued as the 20-year-old marched past Algeria defender Aissa Mandi, before teeing up Breel Embolo to break the deadlock as early as the 10th minute, registering his fifth goal contribution in North America.
Just 48 seconds after the restart, Switzerland doubled their advantage thanks to Dan Ndoye’s composed finish, booking their place in the next round, where a tie against either Colombia or Ghana awaits them.
Alarm bells were ringing for Switzerland after they conceded a 94th-minute equaliser to Qatar in their opening group match. Since then, Murat Yakin’s men have been faultless, recording three successive victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, and now Algeria. It’s the first time they’ve managed three consecutive wins at a World Cup, with the Swiss now backed by some historic momentum.
Ronaldo has his moment as Portugal set up clash with Spain
Portugal haven’t been convincing at this World Cup, but they dug deep to come from behind and record a remarkably action-packed 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto. A result that means they face Spain in the Round of 16.
Despite their star-studded squad, Portugal finished second in Group K and only managed one win from three matches, and their underwhelming tournament looked to have taken a turn for the worse when 37-year-old Ivan Perišić put Croatia into a 53rd-minute lead.
But that scoreline didn’t last long, as Ronaldo – four years Perišić’s senior – on his ninth World Cup knockout appearance, coolly netted a penalty to level the game and score his first goal beyond the competition’s group stages, having had an earlier, brilliantly-taken equaliser ruled out for offside.
The drama didn’t stop there as substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed in a trademark late winner before Joško Gvardiol’s equaliser in the 103rd minute was ruled out for offside. That knocked midfield veteran Luka Modrić out of the World Cup on what is likely to be the last game of an illustrious career.
The final three places in the Round of 16 will be decided today.
The action starts with Australia against Egypt in Dallas, before the reigning world champions Argentina face Cape Verde, the competition’s fairytale story in Miami.
For the final match of the day, we head over to Kansas City where Colombia take on Ghana.
Egypt eyeing more history but wait on Salah’s fitness
Egypt have already made history by reaching the competition’s knockout rounds for the first time after finishing second in Group G, courtesy of a win and two draws.
Their maiden victory in what is their fourth appearance at the finals finally arrived in this year’s group stage, against New Zealand, and Hossam Hassan’s side will aim for a second win against Oceanic opponents to further their uncharted journey in North America.
Australia squeezed through their group by also finishing second, but haven’t found the net in the two games played since beating Türkiye 2-0 in their opening match.
Some added encouragement for the Socceroos is the uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s fitness and whether he will start after he was withdrawn in the 57th minute of Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran due to a hamstring issue. The Pharaohs will need their attacking heartbeat to break down Australia’s stubborn defence, which has conceded just twice at the tournament.
Can Cape Verde stop a Messi-inspired Argentina?
Argentina against Cape Verde pits the competition holders and three-time winners against a country playing in their first ever World Cup.
If Cape Verde’s task wasn’t intimidating enough, Argentina boast the joint-top scorer in this tournament and all-time World Cup history within their ranks. Despite having recently turned 39, the irresistible Lionel Messi remains addicted to breaking records, with six strikes at the 2026 tournament, contributing to his overall tally of 19 goals.
Whatever happens in this game, the Cape Verdeans will already be considered national heroes as Bubista’s men became the first debutants to advance from a World Cup group stage since Slovakia in 2010, and the first African team to do so since Ghana in 2006.
Do you think the history stops there for Cape Verde? They’re also the first debutants to go unbeaten in their three group outings since Senegal in 2002. As Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni puts it: “Spain couldn’t beat them, Uruguay couldn’t either. I can guarantee you they’re a team that’s going to make it difficult for us.” The Blue Sharks will relish their underdog status as they look to cause the biggest upset in World Cup history.
Colombia and Ghana both out to match their best World Cup finishes
After failing to qualify in 2022, Colombia have made an emphatic return to the global stage, finishing first ahead of Portugal in Group K, while Ghana qualified for the Last 32 as one of the best third-ranked sides, having been leapfrogged by Croatia on the final matchday.
Colombia and Ghana have built reputations at this tournament for their defensive sturdiness, with both countries having posted two clean sheets each in their three games.
The quarter-finals for Colombia in 2014 and Ghana in 2010 remain the deepest that each have gone at the World Cup, and whoever advances will face a very winnable tie against Switzerland in the Last 16, offering both countries a chance to at least match their best ever run at the tournament.
