FIFA World Cup: Splendid Spain, Persistent Portugal & Unbeaten Switzerland

Striker Mikel Oyarzabal’s brilliance led Spain to a 3–0 victory over Austria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.

With the win at SoFi Stadium at midnight Thursday NST, Spain extended its unbeaten run to 34 matches.

After an unexpected draw against debutant Cape Verde in the group stage opener, Spain regained its rhythm and reached the Round of 16. On Monday, Spain will face Portugal in Texas, a fresh momentum that will surely benefit the team.

The Real Sociedad striker gave Spain the breakthrough in the 34th minute. He beautifully converted a chance created through Pedri and Marc Cucurella’s build-up play.

From the left side, Cucurella’s cutback found Oyarzabal, who struck with his left foot on the first attempt, a low shot that left goalkeeper Alexander Schlager helpless. Oyarzabal later scored Spain’s third goal, again from a Cucurella cross, finishing with another first-touch strike.

Meanwhile, defender Pedro Porro also found his name on the scoresheet. He doubled Spain’s lead in the 66th minute with a header from left winger Álex Baena’s cross.

In another match, Portugal advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 pre-quarterfinals after a dramatic 2–1 win over Croatia, following a disallowed goal confirmed by VAR during 19 minutes of injury time.

The Round of 32 match, held Friday morning Nepali time at Toronto Stadium, ended 1–1 in regulation.

Ten minutes of injury time were added, and substitute striker Gonçalo Ramos scored in the fourth minute of extra time, heading in Rafael Leão’s cross to stun Croatia.

The defeat marked a bitter end to Luka Modrić’s World Cup career.

Cristiano Ronaldo equalized for Portugal in the 68th minute with his first knockout-stage goal, converting a penalty after center-back Renato Vega was fouled. Earlier, veteran left-back/winger Ivan Perišić had given Croatia the lead in the 53rd minute.

After Ramos’s goal, the referee allowed play to continue beyond the allotted injury time. In the 90+13th minute, Joško Gvardiol briefly silenced Portuguese fans, but Mario Pašalić’s goal was ruled offside. VAR confirmed the decision in the 90+15th minute, giving Portugal relief.

Portugal will now face Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday midnight NST.

Meanwhile, Switzerland ‌striker Breel Embolo struck early and winger Dan Ndoye added a second as their side ⁠cruised to a 2-0 ⁠win over Algeria on Thursday and into the last 16 where it will meet Colombia or Ghana back in Vancouver next week.

Murat Yakin’s Swiss ⁠side put on a tactical masterclass, shifting formations and laying traps for Algeria before hitting them with two sucker-punch goals that decided a contest short on excitement, but full of intrigue and nuance.