The FIFA World Cup round of 32 continued into Wednesday night and early Thursday morning Central European Time, with two European heavyweights securing their places in the last 16. Spain, the 2010 champions, cruised past Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, while Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a tense encounter in Toronto.
Spain's victory was built on a clinical first-half performance. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 24th minute, tapping in from close range after a cross from the left. The Real Sociedad forward doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark, finishing a swift counter-attack with a composed strike. Pedro Porro added a third with a looping header from a corner in the 38th minute, effectively sealing the match before the interval. Austria, who had qualified impressively from the group stage, struggled to create clear chances against a disciplined Spanish defence.
Portugal's path to the next round was far more dramatic. In Toronto, they faced a resilient Croatia side that reached the 2018 final. Portugal took the lead through a well-worked move, but Croatia equalised midway through the second half, setting up a tense finale. With the match seemingly heading for extra time, Gonçalo Ramos rose highest to meet a cross in the fourth minute of injury time, glancing a header into the far corner. Croatia thought they had snatched a late equaliser of their own, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review, sparking celebrations among Portuguese fans watching on big screens back in Lisbon.
An Iberian Showdown in the Last 16
The result sets up a mouthwatering all-European tie between Spain and Portugal in the round of 16. Both teams have shown contrasting styles so far: Spain's possession-based control versus Portugal's resilience and late-game heroics. The match will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup clash, where Spain edged Portugal 1-0 en route to their title. Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo in his sixth World Cup, will be eager to avenge that defeat.
For Croatia, the loss ends a tournament that saw them display flashes of their 2018 form but ultimately fall short. The Balkan side will now turn their attention to rebuilding ahead of the next European Championship. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal will prepare for what promises to be a fiercely contested derby, with a quarter-final spot at stake.
This World Cup has already seen several European teams advance, reflecting the continent's depth in football. Spain's victory also comes amid broader domestic challenges, including a surge in migrant regularisation applications and ongoing debates over labour reforms. Portugal, too, has faced extreme heat warnings and wildfires, though the national team's success has provided a welcome distraction.
The last-16 match between Spain and Portugal is scheduled for next Monday, with both nations confident of advancing further. For fans across Europe, it is a fixture that encapsulates the continent's footballing rivalry and passion.
