Breel Embolo early opener to put Switzerland in control of last-32 tie against Algeria after Spain made easy work of Austria as Portugal left it late to beat Croatia, with all winners now through to the last 16.
Switzerland earned their first knockout stage win since 1938 to bag a place in the final 16 with a 2-0 victory over Algeria in Vancouver.
The team will now face either Colombia or Ghana, who go against each other at 19:30 local time on Friday in Kansas City.
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.”
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.
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.
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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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 12th consecutive night, while Yemen's Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, urging President Donald Trump to warn Tehran it would be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Kyiv on 15 July appeared to send a geopolitical signal. But the significance of the trip lies less in the journey itself than in the limits Serbia carefully observed.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Spain are world champions for the second time after Ferran Torres' extra-time winner secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
France star Kylian Mbappé became the leading goalscorer in men’s World Cup history after scoring twice in his side’s 6-4 defeat by England in the third-place play-off.
Lionel Messi's Argentina face Spain in World Cup final with history on the line. Spain and Argentina meet on Sunday in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing together the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
France coach Didier Deschamps took responsibility for his team's "unacceptable" first-half collapse in a 6-4 defeat to England on Saturday, bringing his 14-year reign as France coach to an end.
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