# World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Heats Up: Spain Cruises, Portugal Survives, USA Advances
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is in full swing, and the Round of 32 delivered yet another day of thrilling action on Thursday, July 2. With the co-hosts USA already through to the Round of 16, the tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in history.
## July 2 Round of 32 Results
| Match | Score | Winners Advance To |
|—|—|—|
| Spain vs Austria | **3-0** | Round of 16 |
| Portugal vs Croatia | **2-1** | Round of 16 |
### Spain 3-0 Austria — Oyarzabal at the Double
Spain put on a clinical display against Austria, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice to lead La Roja into the Round of 16. Spain’s possession-based game was too much for Austria to handle, as the 2010 World Champions controlled the tempo from start to finish. The emphatic 3-0 scoreline sends a clear message — Spain is a serious contender for the title.
### Portugal 2-1 Croatia — VAR Drama and a Wild Finish
In a match that had everything, Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a nail-biter. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and Gonçalo Ramos added a second before Croatia pulled one back. The drama reached a fever pitch when Croatia thought they had equalized in stoppage time — only for VAR to rule the goal offside. The last-minute reversal sparked wild scenes and sent Portugal through to face the winner of Match 83/84 in the Round of 16.
### Earlier: USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 1)
The United States made history on Wednesday with their first World Cup knockout round victory in almost a quarter-century. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring (his 3rd goal of the tournament) before being controversially red-carded in the second half. Down to 10 men, Malik Tillman stepped up with a magnificent free kick in the 82nd minute to seal a 2-0 win. The USA now faces Belgium in Seattle on July 6 for a spot in the quarterfinals.
## Tournament Stats So Far
– **Matches played:** 84
– **Goals scored:** 247 (2.94 per match)
– **Total attendance:** 5,446,422 (average 64,838 per match)
– **Top scorers:** Lionel Messi (Argentina) & Kylian Mbappé (France) — 6 goals each
The tournament has already broken the all-time World Cup attendance record, surpassing the 3.6 million mark set by the USA-hosted 1994 World Cup on June 25.
## Looking Ahead — July 3-4 (Round of 32)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|—|—|—|
| Switzerland vs Algeria | Fri 11:00 PM | Vancouver |
| Australia vs Egypt | Sat 2:00 PM | TBD |
| Argentina vs Cape Verde | Sat 6:00 PM | TBD |
| Colombia vs Ghana | Sat 9:30 PM | TBD |
## Round of 16 Matchups Set So Far
| Match | Date | Venue |
|—|—|—|
| Paraguay vs France | July 4 | TBD |
| Canada vs Morocco | July 4 | TBD |
| Brazil vs Norway | July 5 | TBD |
| Mexico vs England | July 6 | TBD |
| **USA vs Belgium** | **July 6** | **Seattle** |
## FAQ
**Q: When is the 2026 World Cup final?**
A: The final will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
**Q: Who are the top scorers so far?**
A: Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappé (France) are tied for the Golden Boot with 6 goals each.
**Q: What time is USA vs Belgium?**
A: The USA will face Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6 in Seattle. Specific kickoff time TBC.
**Q: How many teams are still in the tournament?**
A: 32 teams entered the knockout stage. The Round of 32 will conclude on July 3, leaving 16 teams for the Round of 16 starting July 4.
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