Spain cruise past Austria while Portugal edge Croatia Wednesday to book last-16 tie

FIFA World Cup knockout matches continued on Wednesday into Thursday CET in the round of 32, with first, 2010 champion Spain advancing with a 3-0 victory over Austria, and second, Portugal defeating Croatia 2-1, both teams reaching the World Cup last 16.

Spain's victory came at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, just outside Los Angeles. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal either side of a Pedro Porro header sent the Spaniards into a meeting with Portugal.

Fans watching on a big screen in Lisbon, Portugal, react after VAR disallowed a second goal by Croatia in the last minute, Friday, July 3, 2026 . (Fans watching on a big screen in Lisbon, Portugal, react after VAR disallowed a second goal by Croatia in the last minute, Friday, July 3, 2026 .)

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo in his sixth World Cup tournament, took on 2018 finalist Croatia in Toronto, in a drama-filled 2-1 victory.

Ramos glanced in a sensational header in the fourth minute of injury time before Croatia had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out for offside as Portugal advanced to a titanic clash with Spain next Monday.

In a a historic moment, Switzerland defeated Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32 on Thursday evening in Vancouver, finally ending their knockout curse that had haunted them for decades.