Spain and Portugal advance to World Cup Round of 16 after victories over Austria and Croatia
Spain secured a 3-0 win against Austria in Los Angeles, while Portugal overcame a deficit to defeat Croatia in Toronto. The two European nations are now scheduled to face each other in the tournament's next round.
Amalgamated from France 24 (opens in new tab), France 24 (opens in new tab), Times of India (opens in new tab), France 24 (opens in new tab), France 24 (opens in new tab), Al Jazeera (opens in new tab), The Mirror (opens in new tab)
Spain and Portugal have both advanced to the Round of 16 of the World Cup 2026 following victories over Austria and Croatia, respectively. These results set up a high-profile match between the two European nations in the upcoming knockout stage.
Spain defeats Austria
Spain secured its place in the next round with a 3-0 victory against Austria. France 24 reported that the team delivered a dominant and polished performance in Los Angeles, providing their opponents with very few opportunities to establish momentum.
While the team entered the tournament as one of the joint favorites, reports from The Mirror noted they had seen a slight decline in betting markets leading up to the match as they looked to find new form. The 3-0 result confirmed their progression into the Round of 16.
Portugal overcomes Croatia
Portugal advanced following a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto. According to France 24, the match featured several developments, including a comeback after Portugal trailed 1-0 early in the game.
The momentum shifted during the second half when Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty for Portugal. The team eventually secured the win in stoppage time with a goal from Goncalo Ramos. Both France 24 and the Times of India reported that this result creates a significant matchup between Spain and Portugal as they prepare for their next encounter.
Why this matters
The advancement of both Spain and Portugal ensures that two of Europe's most prominent football nations will compete in the tournament's next phase. This match is expected to be one of the more high-profile fixtures of the Round of 16.
What's confirmed / what isn't
All primary results, including the scores for both matches and the names of the scoring players in the Portugal game, are confirmed by multiple news outlets. The description of the match between Spain and Portugal as a highly anticipated contest is based on reporting from France 24 and the Times of India.
Background
The World Cup is the premier international football competition, held every four years. Spain entered the 2026 tournament as the reigning European champions.