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World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Ronaldo Delivers, Egypt Advances, Messi Awaits
The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is well underway across the United States, and the Round of 32 has already delivered drama, history, and unforgettable moments. With matches spread across stadiums from Vancouver to Dallas to Atlanta, here is everything you need to know about the latest action.
Portugal 2-1 Croatia: Ronaldo Knockout Breakthrough
In a match that will be remembered for years, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal as Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a frantic encounter at MetLife Stadium.
Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic early in the second half. But Portugal responded dramatically. Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot after VAR spotted a foul — his first knockout-stage goal in five World Cup appearances. Then substitute Goncalo Ramos headed in a Rafael Leao cross in the 94th minute to snatch victory. Croatia thought they equalized deep into stoppage time through Josko Gvardiol, but VAR ruled it out for offside.
Next up: Portugal faces Spain in the Round of 16 at AT&T Stadium, Dallas on Monday, July 6 (8:00 PM ET).
Switzerland 2-0 Algeria: History in Vancouver
Switzerland achieved something they had not done in 88 years — winning a World Cup knockout match. Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and Dan Ndoye doubled the lead just 46 seconds into the second half. It was the Swiss first knockout-stage win since 1938.
Egypt 1-1 Australia (4-2 Pens): Salah the Hero
Mohamed Salah delivered a moment of pure audacity as Egypt beat Australia on penalties to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 1934. The match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes. In the shootout, Salah stepped up and coolly chipped a panenka down the middle. If somebody was going to do it, it would be me! he said afterwards.
Tonight: Argentina vs Cape Verde — Messi Starts
All eyes are on Argentina vs Cape Verde tonight (6:00 PM ET). Lionel Scaloni has made nine changes from the group stage, with Lionel Messi returning to the starting XI. The defending champions are heavy favorites.
Upcoming Matches
| Colombia vs Ghana | July 4 | Vancouver | 5:00 PM ET |
| England vs DR Congo | July 4 | Atlanta | 5:00 PM ET |
| Germany vs Paraguay | July 4 | Houston | 8:00 PM ET |
| Spain vs Austria | July 5 | Miami | 8:00 PM ET |
| USA vs Bosnia | July 5 | Los Angeles | 8:00 PM ET |
| France vs Sweden | July 5 | San Francisco | 8:00 PM ET |
FAQ
Which teams have advanced to the Round of 16?
Portugal, Switzerland, and Egypt have advanced, joining group winners Mexico, France, England, and the United States.
Where can I watch World Cup 2026 in the US?
All matches broadcast on FOX, FS1, and Universo. Streaming via Fox Sports app, Fubo, and YouTube TV.
Is this Ronaldo last World Cup?
At 41, this is widely expected to be Ronaldos final World Cup. He finally broke his knockout-stage duck against Croatia.
Has Messi scored yet in the knockout stage?
Argentina plays Cape Verde tonight. Messi starts and will look to add to his legendary World Cup legacy.
Final Verdict
The 2026 World Cup is delivering history, upsets, and legend-making moments. With Ronaldo finally scoring in a knockout match, Salah writing his name in Egyptian history, and Messi taking the field tonight, the tournament is building toward an unforgettable climax at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
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