Spain: 3, Austria: 0
Spain aren’t flashy, but they are getting the job done, completely dismantling a great Austria team.
It was a big day for striker Mikel Oryazabal, who scored his first goal on a great pass from left back Marc Cucurella in the 36th minute.
Right back Pedro Porro scored not only his first World Cup goal in the 66th minute, but it was his first goal for Spain, a great header and an assist for left winger Alex Baena.
Oryazabal scored a similar goal to his first one in the 89th minute. It was another assist for Cucurella, who has recently become a Real Madrid player.
It could have been much more for Spain, and they haven’t even looked like they’ve been trying, a couple of great saves from the Austrian goalkeeper kept it close, and a couple of chances that were offside.
Spain have not let up a goal at a World Cup since their last group stage game at the 2022 World Cup, and Mexico is the only other team to have not let a goal in yet at this tournament. It will be Portugal next for the Spanish.
Player of the Match: Mikel Oryazabal (Real Sociedad)
Portugal: 2, Croatia: 1
It was a shame that one of these teams had to lose this match and go home so early, but that was an unfortunate result for Croatia.
After a slow first half, left back Ivan Perisic opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, finding open space and firing it past goalkeeper Diego Costa.
Striker Cristiano Ronaldo had never scored a World Cup knockout goal despite it being his sixth time in the competition. When he had a chance to break that streak in the 68th minute at the penalty spot, he took no chances, going straight down the middle to score his first knockout goal.
It was a huge one for Portugal, who had been looking like they could have been going home early. Ronaldo was brought off, making way for substitute Goncalo Ramos to be the striker, and he delivered with a huge moment, a stoppage time winner, a header on a great pass from left winger Rafael Leao.
Croatia evened things up in the 103rd minute, a crazy scramble left substitute Josko Gvardiol the last to touch it into the back of the net. Even later into a wild stoppage time, the goal was ruled offside, the ball was apparently grazed by a Croatian player.
It is heartbreak for Croatia and some of their aging players of their golden generation. Portugal will play Spain next in a rematch of the 2025 Nations League Final.
Player of the Match: Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
Switzerland: 2, Algeria: 0
Switzerland may not have the flashiest names in attack, but they get it done when needed. Another big win for them, getting into the Round of 16.
The first goal came in the 10th minute, attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi set up striker Breel Embolo with a chance from right outside the goal that he couldn’t miss, and he made it 1-0.
Switzerland scored their second in the first minute of the second half, just like how they scored in the first minute of the second half in their previous match against Canada. It was right winger Dan Ndoye who scored the goal, putting it out of reach for Algeria.
Algeria makes it the fifth African team to lose in the Round of 16. Morocco is the only African nation to qualify for the Round of 16, with Egypt, Cape Verde and Ghana still to play.
Player of the Match: Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest)
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