2026 World Cup

Switzerland through to the last 16. Spain and Portugal win and set to meet in Dallas

Switzerland dominated Algeria to win 2–0. The Red Fury, who beat Austria 3–0, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, who beat Croatia 2–1, are set to face off in one of the most eagerly anticipated round-of-16 ties.

by Marco Bellinazzo

3 July 2026

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I giocatori svizzeri festeggiano dopo aver vinto la partita dei sedicesimi di finale della Coppa del Mondo FIFA 2026 tra Svizzera e Algeria, a Vancouver, in Canada, il 2 luglio 2026. (EPA/Bob Frid)

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Spain, Portugal and Switzerland have lived up to expectations and secured their places in the round of 16, knocking out Austria, Croatia and Algeria respectively. The Red Fury and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Seleção will face off in one of the tournament’s most eagerly anticipated round-of-16 ties on 6 July in Dallas. Switzerland, meanwhile, will take on the winner of the Colombia v Ghana match on 7 July in Vancouver, as they continue their surprise run towards the quarter-finals.

Spain v Austria 3–0

Spain reaffirmed their title credentials with a commanding performance against Austria. At Los Angeles Stadium, the Red Fury immediately took control of possession and pinned their opponents back in their own half. De la Fuente’s side created a string of chances in the opening thirty minutes.

In the 36th minute, the deserved lead arrived: Marc Cucurella broke through down the left and played a perfect ball into the centre of the box for Mikel Oyarzabal, who struck it first time to beat Schlager and make it 1–0.

Austria tried to fight back in the second half, but the difference in quality was clear. In the 66th minute, La Roja doubled their lead: Alex Baena delivered a cross and Pedro Porro scored with a header, netting his first goal for the national team.

In the closing stages, in the 89th minute, the Cucurella-Oyarzabal partnership struck again to hurt the Austrians. The Spanish striker scored his second goal of the match to seal a 3-0 victory.

Spain dominated from start to finish, displaying organisation, technical quality and great tactical maturity. Austria put up a fight but never really managed to trouble the Spanish defence.

Portugal v Croatia 2–1

The clash at BMO Field in Toronto between two icons of international football, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, was one of the most intense matches of this round of 16. After a closely contested first half, in which Portugal were the more attacking side but unable to break the deadlock, the match really came to life in the second half.

In the 53rd minute, Croatia took the lead: a move developed down the right was finished off by Ivan Perišić at the far post. The Balkan side seemed to have the game under control, but Portugal’s response came in the 68th minute. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded the Portuguese a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo was flawless from the spot, levelling the score at 1–1.

And just as the match looked set to go into extra time, in the 94th minute, Rafael Leão – who had finally put in a top-class performance down his preferred flank – delivered a pinpoint cross, and Gonçalo Ramos, who had come on as a substitute, rose highest to head home the decisive goal, making it 2–1.

Croatia also equalised in the very long minutes of added time through Gvardiol, but the VAR ruled it out for offside.

Croatia go out with their heads held high after a spirited and well-organised performance, but they pay the price for a number of missed chances in the second half.

Switzerland v Algeria 2–0

Switzerland saw off Algeria with great authority and without any real trouble. Murat Yakin’s side got off to a flying start at BC Place in Vancouver and took the lead as early as the 10th minute.

The move began with a superb run by Johan Manzambi down the left flank. His assist allowed Breel Embolo to slot the ball into the net from close range to make it 1-0.

Algeria tried to build up play but struggled to create any real chances. Early in the second half, in the 46th minute, the decisive blow came: after a short clearance by the North African defence, Dan Ndoye fired a precise right-footed shot into the corner to make it 2–0.

From that moment on, Switzerland have been in control of the match, giving their opponents no room to manoeuvre.

Switzerland are progressing through the 2026 World Cup with good prospects, given the side of the draw they are in – in the round of 16, the Swiss will face the winner of Colombia v Ghana on 7 July, again in Vancouver – the performances that made the difference came from Johan Manzambi, with an assist and his constant ability to create numerical superiority; Denis Zakaria, who dominated on the right flank and played a key role in the build-up to the second goal; and Embolo, who was instrumental in capitalising on that superiority.