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Spain cruise past Austria while Portugal edge Croatia Wednesday to book last-16 tie

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal (21) celebrates scoring his side's 3rd goal with his teammate Gavi during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Spain and Austria in Inglewood
Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal (21) celebrates scoring his side's 3rd goal with his teammate Gavi during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Spain and Austria in Inglewood Copyright  Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By Sertac Aktan with AP
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Spain blanked Austria 3–0 in California with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header. They will meet Portugal, who edged Croatia 2–1 in Toronto thanks to a late Gonçalo Ramos header.

FIFA World Cup knockout matches continued on Wednesday into Thursday CET in the round of 32, with first, 2010 champion Spain advancing with a 3-0 victory over Austria, and second, Portugal defeating Croatia 2-1, both teams reaching the World Cup last 16.

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Spain's victory came at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, just outside Los Angeles. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal either side of a Pedro Porro header sent the Spaniards into a meeting with Portugal.

Fans watching on a big screen in Lisbon, Portugal, react after VAR disallowed a second goal by Croatia in the last minute, Friday, July 3, 2026 .
Fans watching on a big screen in Lisbon, Portugal, react after VAR disallowed a second goal by Croatia in the last minute, Friday, July 3, 2026 . (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo in his sixth World Cup tournament, took on 2018 finalist Croatia in Toronto, in a drama-filled 2-1 victory.

Ramos glanced in a sensational header in the fourth minute of injury time before Croatia had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out for offside as Portugal advanced to a titanic clash with Spain next Monday.

Switzerland is currently facing Algeria in Vancouver. The score is 1-0 to Switzerland at half-time.

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