World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Delivers Drama: Portugal Edges Croatia, Switzerland Makes History
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⚽ World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Heats Up
The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is here, and it’s already delivering unforgettable moments. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic penalty to Switzerland’s first knockout win in nearly a century, here’s your roundup of the latest action and what’s coming next.
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Portugal 2-1 Croatia: Last-Gasp Drama in Texas
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal, but it was substitute Goncalo Ramos who stole the show with a 94th-minute header to seal Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Croatia in the last 32.
The match had everything:
- Croatia’s **Ivan Perisic** fired them ahead early in the second half
- Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot after VAR spotted a foul at a corner
- Ramos rose above two defenders to head in Rafael Leao’s cross deep in stoppage time
- Croatia thought they’d rescued extra time through **Josko Gvardiol** in the 13th minute of added time, but VAR ruled it out for offside
Portugal will now face European champions Spain at Dallas Stadium on Monday, July 6 in what promises to be a blockbuster last-16 clash.
“This was always going to be the World Cup farewell for one legendary player, and despite putting in a masterful midfield performance at the age of 40, that player turned out to be Luka Modric.” — BBC Sport
Switzerland 2-0 Algeria: History in Vancouver
Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye fired Switzerland to a 2-0 victory over Algeria, giving the Swiss their first World Cup knockout stage win since 1938 — an incredible 88-year drought broken.
Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi provided a brilliant assist for Embolo’s 10th-minute opener, and Nottingham Forest winger Ndoye doubled the lead just 46 seconds into the second half.
Switzerland advance to the last 16 for the fourth consecutive tournament and will face the winner of Colombia vs Ghana on July 7.
Today’s Action: July 3
Two massive matches are underway today:
| Match | Venue | Time (BST) | What’s at Stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Argentina vs Cape Verde** | BC Place, Vancouver | 21:00 | Winner faces Australia or Egypt |
| **Australia vs Egypt** | Dallas Stadium, Dallas | 19:00 | Winner faces Argentina or Cape Verde |
Argentina vs Cape Verde is the biggest mismatch of the knockout stage on paper — Lionel Messi’s reigning champions against the tournament’s Cinderella story. Cape Verde, ranked 60th in the world, are making their first-ever knockout appearance and have nothing to lose.
Over in Dallas, Australia vs Egypt is a tightly contested affair. Mohamed Salah starts for Egypt, while Australia’s young stars like Nestory Irankunda provide pace and trickery. Chris Sutton predicts a tight 0-0 going to penalties.
Upcoming Schedule — Last 16
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 6 Jul | **Portugal vs Spain** | Dallas Stadium | 20:00 |
| Tue 7 Jul | **Switzerland vs Colombia/Ghana** | BC Place, Vancouver | 21:00 |
| Tue 7 Jul | **Argentina/Cape Verde vs Australia/Egypt** | TBD | TBD |
❓ FAQ
Q: Did Cristiano Ronaldo score in the knockout stage?
A: Yes! Ronaldo converted a penalty against Croatia in the last 32 — his first-ever World Cup knockout goal. He became the oldest player to start a World Cup knockout match at age 41.
Q: When is Portugal vs Spain?
A: The all-European blockbuster last-16 match is scheduled for Monday, July 6 at 20:00 BST at Dallas Stadium, Texas.
Q: How far can Cape Verde go?
A: Cape Verde face the ultimate test against Argentina. If they pull off the upset, they would face either Australia or Egypt in the last 16. It’s the first knockout appearance in their history.
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