On a chaotic day of FIFA World Cup knock-out action, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland booked their places in the last 16 – with Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal ready to face off in a compelling clash. Spain’s flawless defensive record at the tournament held up as they dominated Austria 3-0, Mikel Oyarzabal bagging a brace and Pedro Porro getting his first international goal in a 14th game without defeat for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
The men in red took control from kick-off, creating chances for Lamine Yamal and Aymeric Laporte and seeing a Marc Cucurella strike ruled out for a perceived foul on Austrian keeper Alexander Schlager.
Spain’s patience was rewarded prior to half-time when Cucurella’s ball into the box found Oyarzabal, who expertly finished. A further two goals in the second half from Porro’s header – off the back of Alex Baena’s cross – and a late second from Oyarzabal secured an impressive victory.
Now La Roja will go head-to-head with their neighbours Portugal in a tasty Round of 16 tie. Portugal battled to a 2-1 triumph over Croatia in Toronto, but they needed a last-gasp winner.
Croatia took the lead in the early minutes of the second half through Ivan Perisic, his effort now moving him clear as his country’s leading World Cup goalscorer ahead of Davor Suker.
Ronaldo leveled from the penalty spot, scoring his first-ever World Cup knockout goal after a Renato Veiga trip was awarded by the referee. A Petar Sucic strike, which would have taken Croatia back into the lead, was then disallowed for an offside infringement.
Substitute Goncalo Ramos rose high to head home Rafael Leao’s cross deep into stoppage time, clinching the victory.
Gvardiol’s goal was also controversially denied for offside after VAR intervention.
Meanwhile, the Swiss comfortably booked their ticket to the last 16 with a 2-0 win over Algeria in Vancouver. The lead was taken just 10 minutes into the first half when Embolo broke the deadlock from Johan Manzambi’s run and cross.
Immediately after half-time, the Swiss doubled their lead through Ndoye after a mistake at the back for Algeria.
From there, the game was relatively controlled by Switzerland, securing their third World Cup win in a row for the first time in the country’s history. Murat Yakin’s men will face either Colombia or Ghana in the Round of 16.
