Spain and Portugal advance to round of 16
Spain and Portugal have secured their places in the World Cup round of 16, setting up an Iberian clash in Dallas on July 6. Spain delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria, while Portugal edged out Croatia with a 2-1 win.
Spain’s performance against Austria in Inglewood, California, was described as a masterclass, with Spanish newspapers highlighting the team’s dominant display. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed their progression. Coach Luis de la Fuente emphasized that the performance should serve as a foundation for future matches. The team maintained 65 percent possession and did not allow a single shot on target, showcasing a complete performance that has drawn comparisons to their Euro 2024 winning form.
Portugal’s path to the round of 16 was more dramatic, as they secured a 2-1 win against Croatia in Toronto. The match saw Cristiano Ronaldo score his first knockout stage goal in a World Cup from a penalty. However, it was Gonçalo Ramos who scored the dramatic winner in stoppage time, securing Portugal’s progression. This victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated match against Spain.
Ronaldo’s World Cup journey continues
Despite earlier predictions about his World Cup career, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play a significant role for Portugal. In his sixth World Cup, Ronaldo justified his selection by scoring a penalty, which was his first knockout goal in the tournament. He had an earlier goal disallowed for offside, despite skillfully controlling the ball and lifting it over the goalkeeper.
In a surprising move, coach Roberto Martinez substituted Ronaldo in the 81st minute, bringing on Ruben Neves. This decision was part of a series of courageous changes made by Martinez, which also included a quadruple substitution earlier in the game. Ronaldo’s teammate, Gonçalo Ramos, who scored the winning header, acknowledged that he has not taken Ronaldo’s place in the team, but the match has fueled discussions about Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearances.
The game was also an emotional occasion for Ronaldo, who celebrated scoring but was surprised by his substitution. He later became emotional when honoring Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, on the anniversary of their deaths. Ronaldo held up Jota’s old jersey, stating the moment was special and significant for the team.
Other teams advance and upcoming matches
Switzerland also advanced to the round of 16 after defeating Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver. Early goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye secured their win. Switzerland will remain in Vancouver to face either Colombia or Ghana on July 7.
One of the breakout stars of the tournament has been Johan Manzambi, a midfielder for Switzerland. Despite wearing the No. 9 jersey, Manzambi plays wide for the team due to the presence of Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler in central midfield. Initially a substitute, his significant impact led coach Murat Yakin to integrate him into the starting lineup. Manzambi scored twice against Bosnia and secured the winner against co-hosts Canada. He also contributed to Embolo’s goal against Algeria, demonstrating his versatility.
The upcoming match between Spain and Portugal in Dallas on July 6 is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams having demonstrated strong performances in the round of 32.
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Source: nytimes.com
