Portugal, Croatia Renew European Rivalry

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Portugal and Croatia will renew their European rivalry on Thursday when they meet in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, with both nations eyeing a place among the tournament’s final 16.

Portugal enter the contest carrying memories of one of their most emphatic World Cup knockout victories. Their most recent knockout-stage meeting with European opposition ended in a stunning 6-1 demolition of Switzerland in the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022, a result that underlined the Seleção’s attacking prowess on the biggest stage.

Croatia, however, have built a reputation as one of international football’s toughest knockout opponents. The 2018 World Cup runners-up have won nine of their 12 World Cup knockout matches, a remarkable record that reflects their resilience and ability to thrive under pressure.

The Croatians have often excelled when matches become tense and finely balanced, while Portugal possess a squad capable of deciding games through moments of individual brilliance.

With a place in the Round of 16 on the line, Thursday’s clash promises to be one of the most intriguing all-European encounters of the knockout phase.

Portugal will hope their attacking firepower can unlock the Croatian defence, while Croatia will rely on the tournament know-how that has made them one of football’s most formidable knockout-stage performers.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The United States joined fellow FIFA World Cup co-hosts Mexico and Canada in the Round of 16 on Wednesday after overcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a dramatic knockout clash that tested both their quality and resilience.

Goals from Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman secured victory for the Americans, who were forced to play much of the second half with 10 men following Balogun’s dismissal.

The triumph marked a significant milestone for the United States, delivering their first knockout-stage victory at a World Cup since their memorable run to the quarter-finals in 2002.

It also ensured that all three host nations remain alive in the tournament, delighting home supporters across North America as the competition enters its decisive phase.

The Americans had struggled to break down a disciplined Bosnian defence for much of the first half before Balogun produced the breakthrough on the stroke of halftime.

The striker benefited from a fortunate deflection off defender Tarik Muharemovic, allowing the ball to fall kindly into his path before he calmly slipped a left-footed effort through the goalkeeper’s legs in the 45th minute.

The goal sparked celebrations among the partisan crowd and appeared to place the hosts firmly in control.

However, the contest took a dramatic turn midway through the second half.

Balogun, the United States’ leading attacking threat, was shown a red card after a heavy challenge on Muharemovic. Referee initially allowed play to continue, but after consulting the Video Assistant Referee, upgraded the punishment and sent the striker off.

With more than 20 minutes remaining, Bosnia sensed an opportunity to mount a comeback against the numerically disadvantaged hosts.

Instead, the Americans responded with determination and discipline.

As Bosnia pushed forward in search of an equaliser, spaces began to open up at the other end. Tillman capitalised in the 82nd minute, curling a superb free kick beyond the goalkeeper to double the United States’ advantage and effectively settle the contest.

The goal sent the crowd into raptures and extinguished any lingering Bosnian hopes of a late revival.

For U.S. coach and players, the victory represents another landmark moment in a tournament already producing memorable scenes for the co-hosts.

Mexico had earlier secured passage to the Round of 16, while Canada also advanced, ensuring all three host nations remain contenders as the knockout rounds gather momentum.

The challenge now becomes significantly tougher.

Awaiting the United States in the Round of 16 are Belgium, who produced one of the most astonishing comebacks in World Cup history earlier on Wednesday, overturning a two-goal deficit in the closing minutes before defeating Senegal 3-2 after extra time.

That victory set up a tantalising showdown between the Americans and the Red Devils, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

For now, though, the United States can savour a historic achievement.

Twenty-four years after their run to the last eight in Korea and Japan, the Americans have finally won another World Cup knockout match — and in front of their own fans, on home soil, during a tournament they are helping to host.

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European champions Spain will seek to continue their impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign when they face Austria in a Round-of-32 encounter at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday.

The match revives a rivalry that has not been seen on football’s biggest stage since the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, when Austria defeated Spain 2-1 in the group phase.

Spain arrive as winners of Group H after collecting seven points from their three matches. Luis de la Fuente’s side opened their campaign with a goalless draw against tournament debutants Cabo Verde in Atlanta before thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0. They sealed top spot with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara, courtesy of a decisive strike from Álex Baena.

Austria, meanwhile, reached the knockout phase for the first time since 1982 after finishing runners-up in Group J. Ralf Rangnick’s side began with a 3-1 victory over Jordan before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Argentina. Their qualification was secured in dramatic fashion through a thrilling 3-3 draw against Algeria in Kansas City, where Marko Arnautović, Marcel Sabitzer and Saša Kalajdžić found the net, with Kalajdžić’s equaliser arriving in the 96th minute.

Spain hold a clear advantage in overall meetings between the two nations, winning nine of their 16 encounters compared to Austria’s four victories, with three matches ending in draws.

However, Austria boast the superior record in World Cup meetings, having won the only previous clash between the sides at the tournament. Walter Schachner opened the scoring in Buenos Aires in 1978 before Dani levelled for Spain. Hans Krankl netted the winner in the 76th minute to hand Austria a memorable 2-1 victory.

The most recent meeting between the nations came in November 2009, when Spain recorded a convincing 5-1 friendly win in Vienna.

Key Facts

• This is the second FIFA World Cup meeting between Spain and Austria and the first since 1978.
• Spain are appearing in their first World Cup knockout match against European opposition since their penalty shootout defeat to hosts Russia in the Round of 16 at Russia 2018.
• La Roja are unbeaten in regular time in their last 33 matches, a run stretching back to a 1-0 friendly loss to Colombia in March 2024.
• Spain have kept four consecutive clean sheets at the World Cup, matching their best defensive streak in the competition, last achieved during their triumphant 2010 campaign.
• Austria are participating in World Cup knockout football for the first time since finishing third at the 1954 tournament.
• Das Nationalteam are without a victory in their last six World Cup matches against European opponents, a sequence dating back to their 3-2 win over West Germany in 1978.
• Austria have nevertheless won three of their six previous World Cup knockout ties against fellow European nations.
• Ralf Rangnick’s side have lost only two of their last seven World Cup matches, winning two and drawing three.

Familiar Faces

The contest will also feature a club connection, with Spain defender Pedro Porro and Austria centre-back Kevin Danso both teammates at English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

With Spain seeking to extend their unbeaten run and Austria aiming to continue a remarkable resurgence on the world stage, Thursday’s clash promises a fascinating battle for a place in the Round of 16.

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