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R32: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

R32: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Toronto: Goncalo Ramos scored an injury-time winner as Portugal battled into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday with a drama-filled 2-1 victory over Croatia.

Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion's share of the chances in sapping evening heat in Toronto.

In a dramatic ending, Croatia thought they had equalised in the dying seconds but Josko Gvardiol's goal was chalked off for offside.

The Croatians were left stunned by the decision, while Portugal's players celebrated.

R32: Spain 3-0 Austria

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

R32: Spain 3-0 Austria

Inglewood: Spain coasted past Austria and into the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.

The European champions controlled possession and sliced through the Austrian defence in a typically dominant performance in Los Angeles, as Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and singer Rosalia cheered on.

The win - which could have been by a greater margin, with a disallowed goal and a free-kick off the woodwork - sets up a tantalising Round of 16 clash with either Portugal or Croatia.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/r32-spain-v-austria

Preview - R32: Colombia v Ghana

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Colombia v Ghana

Kansas City: Colombia will start as favourites when they meet Ghana in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Friday.

The South American side topped Group K ahead of Portugal while Ghana advanced after finishing third in Group L behind England and Croatia.

Preview - R32: Argentina v Cabo Verde

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Argentina v Cabo Verde

Miami Gardens: Cabo Verde have defied expectations but the African side will face the toughest possible challenge they could have imagined when they meet Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Friday.

Defending champions Argentina have continued from where they left off four years ago, cruising into the knockout stage with three wins to top Group I while debutants Cabo Verde booked their spot with three draws, one of which was against Spain.

Preview - R32: Australia v Egypt

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Australia v Egypt

Arlington: Australia head coach Tony Popovic is confident his young players can deliver a first-ever win in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup when the Socceroos face off against Egypt in the last 32 in Dallas on Friday.

The Australians have advanced through the group phase for only the third time and are looking to go one step further than in 2006, when they lost to Italy, and in Qatar in 2022 when they were defeated by Argentina.

Belgium coach salutes Tielemans after rescue act

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Belgium coach salutes Tielemans after rescue act

Seattle: Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia hailed captain Youri Tielemans after the midfielder's last-gasp penalty completed an astonishing 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 32 on Wednesday.

Senegal looked set for a place in the next round as they led by two goals with five minutes remaining, but Belgium produced a dramatic fightback through strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time in Seattle.

Tielemans then held his nerve to convert a penalty in the 125th minute and send Belgium into the last 16.

The Aston Villa player faced a lengthy delay before taking the kick as Senegal players surrounded the spot, but he calmly dispatched his effort to cap an improbable turnaround.

Tuchel: England never stopped believing

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Tuchel: England never stopped believing

Atlanta: England head coach Thomas Tuchel said his team had never stopped "believing" after making a terrible start in their come-from-behind FIFA World Cup 2026 win against Congo DR on Wednesday.

Brian Cipenga had fired the Congolese into a shock lead after seven minutes in Atlanta, but Harry Kane scored twice in the second half of a nervy contest to send England into a last-16 meeting with tournament co-hosts Mexico.

Majestic Olise raises France to another level

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Majestic Olise raises France to another level

East Rutherford: That France are more than living up to their status as favourites at the FIFA World Cup 2026 may be down to the goals of captain Kylian Mbappe, but also in a large part to the creative genius of Michael Olise.

There is a sense that, after years of prioritising pragmatism over flair, head coach Didier Deschamps has decided to hand the keys to his brilliant attacking players as he aims to end his long reign with another FIFA World Cup triumph.

That may yet change when it comes to the latter stages and the quality of the opposition increases, but France have been irresistible so far with Olise helping raise them to another level.

Haaland hailed after more heroics

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Haaland hailed after more heroics

Arlington: Erling Haaland was described as "devastating" and "the greatest goalscorer in the world" after pouncing for a dramatic late winner on Tuesday for Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Manchester City predator had a quiet afternoon at the home of the Dallas Cowboys before prodding home in the 86th minute for a thrilling 2-1 victory over Cote d'Ivoire.

It was Haaland's fifth goal in three games in North America, having been rested for the 4-1 loss to France in the group phase.

R32: USA 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

R32: USA 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Santa Clara: Folarin Balogun scored and was sent off as the United States beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wednesday.

The co-hosts' first FIFA World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century – and only their second ever – sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

 

Balogun's goal on the stroke of half-time had sent the California crowd into delirium, with some 30 million Americans expected to be watching the blockbuster clash across the nation.

 

But the striker saw red as VAR intervened following a nasty clash with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. But even with the US forced into a 10-man rearguard action, Malik Tillman curled in a free kick to secure the win.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/r32-usa-v-bosnia-herzegovina

Photos

R32: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

R32: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Toronto: Goncalo Ramos scored an injury-time winner as Portugal battled into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday with a drama-filled 2-1 victory over Croatia.

Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion's share of the chances in sapping evening heat in Toronto.

In a dramatic ending, Croatia thought they had equalised in the dying seconds but Josko Gvardiol's goal was chalked off for offside.

The Croatians were left stunned by the decision, while Portugal's players celebrated.

R32: Spain 3-0 Austria

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

R32: Spain 3-0 Austria

Inglewood: Spain coasted past Austria and into the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.

The European champions controlled possession and sliced through the Austrian defence in a typically dominant performance in Los Angeles, as Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and singer Rosalia cheered on.

The win - which could have been by a greater margin, with a disallowed goal and a free-kick off the woodwork - sets up a tantalising Round of 16 clash with either Portugal or Croatia.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/r32-spain-v-austria

Preview - R32: Colombia v Ghana

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Colombia v Ghana

Kansas City: Colombia will start as favourites when they meet Ghana in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Friday.

The South American side topped Group K ahead of Portugal while Ghana advanced after finishing third in Group L behind England and Croatia.

Preview - R32: Argentina v Cabo Verde

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Argentina v Cabo Verde

Miami Gardens: Cabo Verde have defied expectations but the African side will face the toughest possible challenge they could have imagined when they meet Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Friday.

Defending champions Argentina have continued from where they left off four years ago, cruising into the knockout stage with three wins to top Group I while debutants Cabo Verde booked their spot with three draws, one of which was against Spain.

Preview - R32: Australia v Egypt

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Preview - R32: Australia v Egypt

Arlington: Australia head coach Tony Popovic is confident his young players can deliver a first-ever win in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup when the Socceroos face off against Egypt in the last 32 in Dallas on Friday.

The Australians have advanced through the group phase for only the third time and are looking to go one step further than in 2006, when they lost to Italy, and in Qatar in 2022 when they were defeated by Argentina.

Belgium coach salutes Tielemans after rescue act

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Belgium coach salutes Tielemans after rescue act

Seattle: Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia hailed captain Youri Tielemans after the midfielder's last-gasp penalty completed an astonishing 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 32 on Wednesday.

Senegal looked set for a place in the next round as they led by two goals with five minutes remaining, but Belgium produced a dramatic fightback through strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time in Seattle.

Tielemans then held his nerve to convert a penalty in the 125th minute and send Belgium into the last 16.

The Aston Villa player faced a lengthy delay before taking the kick as Senegal players surrounded the spot, but he calmly dispatched his effort to cap an improbable turnaround.

Tuchel: England never stopped believing

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Tuchel: England never stopped believing

Atlanta: England head coach Thomas Tuchel said his team had never stopped "believing" after making a terrible start in their come-from-behind FIFA World Cup 2026 win against Congo DR on Wednesday.

Brian Cipenga had fired the Congolese into a shock lead after seven minutes in Atlanta, but Harry Kane scored twice in the second half of a nervy contest to send England into a last-16 meeting with tournament co-hosts Mexico.

Majestic Olise raises France to another level

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Majestic Olise raises France to another level

East Rutherford: That France are more than living up to their status as favourites at the FIFA World Cup 2026 may be down to the goals of captain Kylian Mbappe, but also in a large part to the creative genius of Michael Olise.

There is a sense that, after years of prioritising pragmatism over flair, head coach Didier Deschamps has decided to hand the keys to his brilliant attacking players as he aims to end his long reign with another FIFA World Cup triumph.

That may yet change when it comes to the latter stages and the quality of the opposition increases, but France have been irresistible so far with Olise helping raise them to another level.

Haaland hailed after more heroics

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Haaland hailed after more heroics

Arlington: Erling Haaland was described as "devastating" and "the greatest goalscorer in the world" after pouncing for a dramatic late winner on Tuesday for Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Manchester City predator had a quiet afternoon at the home of the Dallas Cowboys before prodding home in the 86th minute for a thrilling 2-1 victory over Cote d'Ivoire.

It was Haaland's fifth goal in three games in North America, having been rested for the 4-1 loss to France in the group phase.

R32: USA 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

R32: USA 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Santa Clara: Folarin Balogun scored and was sent off as the United States beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wednesday.

The co-hosts' first FIFA World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century – and only their second ever – sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

 

Balogun's goal on the stroke of half-time had sent the California crowd into delirium, with some 30 million Americans expected to be watching the blockbuster clash across the nation.

 

But the striker saw red as VAR intervened following a nasty clash with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. But even with the US forced into a 10-man rearguard action, Malik Tillman curled in a free kick to secure the win.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/r32-usa-v-bosnia-herzegovina