Spain’s impressive march at the FIFA World Cup 2026 continued on Thursday as their commanding 3-0 victory over Austria in the Round of 32 stretched an extraordinary unbeaten run in regular time to 34 matches.

The victory means La Roja have now gone 34 consecutive matches without suffering a defeat in normal time, recording 25 wins and nine draws since their last setback — a 1-0 loss to Colombia in an international friendly played in London on March 22, 2024.

The remarkable sequence underlines Spain’s status as one of the tournament favourites and highlights the consistency that has made them one of the most difficult teams to beat in world football over the past two years.

Their latest success against Austria secured a place in the Round of 16, where they will face fellow European giants Portugal in what promises to be one of the standout knockout ties of the tournament.

Spain’s Unbeaten Run at a Glance

• Matches: 34
• Wins: 25
• Draws: 9
• Defeats: 0
• Last defeat: 0-1 vs Colombia (friendly)
• Date of last defeat: March 22, 2024
• Venue of last defeat: London, England

Spain’s victory over Austria further strengthened their credentials as genuine contenders for a second World Cup title, with their blend of possession football, defensive solidity and attacking efficiency continuing to deliver results on the biggest stage.

With confidence soaring and their unbeaten streak intact, La Roja now turn their attention to the highly anticipated showdown with Portugal as they seek to keep their World Cup dream alive.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye scored either side of halftime as Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory with a composed 2-0 win over Algeria in Vancouver on Thursday, booking a place in the Round of 16.

The Swiss, who had not won a World Cup knockout match since 1938, produced a disciplined and tactically astute display under coach Murat Yakin to eliminate the North Africans and set up a last-16 clash against either Colombia or Ghana next Tuesday at BC Place.

In a fascinating tactical battle, Yakin outwitted Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, the former Switzerland manager who spent seven years in charge of the European side between 2014 and 2021. Switzerland were content to absorb pressure, sit deep and strike on the counterattack, a plan that worked to perfection.

“We couldn’t underestimate Algeria and we had to be clinical. That clinical finishing made the difference today,” Embolo said after the match.

“It gave us the energy we needed in the first half. We could have been even more ruthless in the second half. We played with great maturity. We have to stay humble and keep working.”

Switzerland struck with their first meaningful attack in the 10th minute. Winning possession deep in their own half, they launched a swift counterattack through 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, whose run down the left ended with a precise pass into the path of Embolo. The striker made no mistake from close range, steering the ball past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

The early goal allowed Switzerland to retreat into a compact shape, crowding the midfield and denying Algeria space to create chances. Petkovic’s side dominated possession but struggled to penetrate the well-organised Swiss defence.

Algeria’s best opening of the first half arrived in stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a shot wide of the near post after finding a rare pocket of space.

Any hopes of an Algerian comeback suffered a major blow shortly after the restart. Switzerland attacked down the right flank, and a weak clearance from Rafik Belghali fell kindly to Ndoye, who calmly guided his shot beyond Zidane to double the lead.

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez had an opportunity to reduce the deficit almost immediately, but his effort from a central position was blocked, epitomising an evening in which the Desert Foxes struggled to find a way through.

With captain Granit Xhaka expertly marshalling the team’s defensive structure, Switzerland reverted to their counterattacking approach while Algeria became increasingly cautious about committing players forward.

The closing stages lacked drama, though Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder squandered a golden opportunity to add a third when he scuffed his shot with the goal at his mercy.

The miss mattered little as Switzerland comfortably saw out the victory to continue their World Cup campaign.

Ndoye, who was named among the standout performers, expressed relief after finally getting on the scoresheet.

“Before the World Cup, I hadn’t played for a long time, so I had to get back into the swing of things,” said the Nottingham Forest winger.

“I was really looking for that goal, and sometimes when you look for it too much, it doesn’t come. Today, I started playing by telling myself, ‘Just play the way you know how, don’t overthink it,’ and it came naturally. Our strength is knowing how to play as a team.”

For Algeria, the defeat marked a disappointing end to an encouraging campaign and also signalled the conclusion of an era.

Veteran captain Mahrez revealed after the match that the defeat was his final appearance for the national team.

“The goal was to progress, and I think it was a game that was within our reach,” said the 35-year-old.

“We conceded two goals on mistakes, and at this level, we pay dearly for that.”

When asked whether the match would be his last at the World Cup, Mahrez confirmed his international retirement.

“It’s my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game,” he said.

The announcement brought the curtain down on an illustrious international career for the former African Footballer of the Year, who helped Algeria win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and inspired several memorable campaigns with the Desert Foxes.

While Algeria head home, Switzerland march on with renewed confidence, dreaming of an even deeper run as they prepare for a Round of 16 showdown against either Colombia or Ghana.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

One legend marches on. The other leaves the FIFA World Cup stage, perhaps for the final time.

Cristiano Ronaldo kept alive his dream of lifting football’s greatest prize as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic Round of 32 encounter on Thursday, ending Luka Modrić’s fifth and possibly final World Cup campaign.

In a contest befitting two of football’s most enduring icons, Ronaldo and Modrić once again found themselves at the centre of the global spotlight. While the Portuguese superstar celebrated progression to the Round of 16, the Croatian maestro was left to reflect on another remarkable World Cup journey that finally reached its conclusion.

Croatia appeared destined for the next round when Ivan Perišić broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, converting a cross from Josip Stanišić to put the 2018 finalists ahead.

With Modrić orchestrating play from midfield, Croatia looked capable of frustrating Portugal. But Ronaldo, who has built a career on decisive moments, responded when his side needed him most.

The 41-year-old converted a penalty in the 68th minute to level the scores and register his first-ever goal in the knockout rounds of the World Cup, adding another milestone to a career already overflowing with records.

The goal shifted momentum towards Portugal, although Ronaldo’s evening ended before the decisive moment arrived.

With extra time looming, substitute Rafael Leão delivered a precise cross into the penalty area deep into stoppage time, where Gonçalo Ramos rose highest to head home the winner and send Portuguese supporters into celebration.

Yet the drama was not over.

Croatia believed they had rescued the contest in the dying seconds when Mario Pašalić found the net to make it 2-2. Celebrations erupted among Croatian players and fans before a VAR review ruled Pašalić offside.

The goal was disallowed, sparking angry protests from Croatia supporters, who whistled loudly and threw bottles onto the field as the final whistle confirmed their elimination.

For Modrić, the defeat may mark the end of an extraordinary World Cup career.

The veteran midfielder, who inspired Croatia to a runners-up finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2022, was making his fifth World Cup appearance. Despite another composed display, the 40-year-old could not produce one final miracle for his country.

As Modrić exited the tournament, Ronaldo’s quest continued.

Portugal will now face Spain in a heavyweight Round of 16 showdown on Monday, with Ronaldo still pursuing the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his glittering career.

On a night filled with tension, controversy and late drama, football witnessed a symbolic changing of the guard. One World Cup dream survived. Another came to an emotional end.

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