Spain cruise into World Cup last 16 as Portugal edge Croatia

Spain cruise into World Cup last 16 as Portugal edge Croatia
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal, 2 July 2026
Reuters

Spain made easy work of Austria as Portugal left it late to beat Croatia, with both winners now set to meet in the last 16.

Spain outclass Austria
Reuters

Spain underlined their World Cup credentials with a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria, thanks to two goals from forward Mikel Oyarzabal.

Lamine Yamal repeatedly troubled Austria early on, but it was Oyarzabal who opened the scoring in the 36th minute from a Marc Cucurella cross.

Tottenham’s Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in the 66th minute with an unexpected header from right-back.

Oyarzabal scored his second shortly before full-time, taking his tally at this World Cup to four.

“Little by little, I’m starting to feel like myself again,” Yamal said, as he continues his return to full fitness. “Making the runs I need to make, the dribbles – everything.”

Reuters

Spain did not allow Austria a shot on target, becoming the first team to achieve that feat in a World Cup knockout match since Germany in the 2014 final against Argentina.

They arrived at the tournament among the favourites and have still yet to concede a goal.

Drama in Toronto
Reuters

Portugal scored in the 94th minute to beat Croatia 2-1, after Croatia had earlier thought they had equalised in added time before the goal was ruled out for offside.

Thirty-seven-year-old Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Croatia in the second half with a composed finish.

Around the hour mark, Portugal won a penalty after Renato Veiga was dragged down off the ball by Nikola Vlasic at a corner.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to drive his penalty down the middle, scoring his 146th goal for Portugal.

Reuters

The game looked to be heading for extra time until substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed in a Rafael Leão cross in the 94th minute, sparking scenes of jubilation in Toronto.

The drama continued when Croatia thought they had equalised deep into added time, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Portugal will now play Spain in Dallas on Monday, 6 July.

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