Five European heavyweights advanced yesterday in a Round of 32 session that had everything — a dominant Spain, a dramatic Portugal, a late Kane rescue act, and a Belgium comeback for the ages. Tonight, Argentina finally step onto the stage.
Yesterday's Results
Spain 3-0 Austria — Spain were simply a level above. Reuters reports that the Spaniards outclassed Austria from the first whistle, with Oyarzabal scoring twice to lead a performance that looked less like a knockout match and more like a training exercise. La Roja are purring, and whoever faces them next has a serious problem.
Portugal 2-1 Croatia — The wildest match of the day, and it wasn't close. The Guardian reports that Ronaldo's penalty and a Gonçalo Ramos goal sent Portugal through, but Croatia made them sweat — a late equalizer was waved offside by VAR in the final minutes, capping a finish full of drama and controversy. Portugal are through; Croatia are furious.
USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina — The USMNT did what they needed to do, and Folarin Balogun made sure everyone remembered his name — BBC Sport notes he scored and was then sent off in the same match, which about sums up the chaotic energy of this US team. Two goals, a red card, a round of 16 berth. They'll take it.
Belgium 3-2 Senegal — BBC Sport calls it "late drama, controversy, history and heartbreak" — and that's not overselling it. Belgium came from 2-0 down to win with a last-gasp extra-time penalty, completing one of the more remarkable comebacks of the tournament so far. Senegal's exit is gut-wrenching; Belgium's resilience is genuinely impressive.
England 2-1 Congo DR — Harry Kane bailed England out. BBC Sport reports that Kane scored twice — including the winner — to see off Congo DR in a match that England made far harder than it needed to be. They're through to a Round of 16 tie at the Azteca against Mexico, but Thomas Tuchel will have questions to answer about why his side struggled so much against a team they were heavily favored to beat.
Today's Fixtures
All times local/kickoff as listed.
Switzerland vs Algeria — Round of 32, 03:00 Switzerland are already through — Reuters confirms a 2-0 win, with Embolo and Ndoye on the scoresheet — so this result is already in the books. The Swiss advance to the Round of 16.
(Note: per the BBC Sport scores page, Switzerland 2-0 Algeria is confirmed full-time. The match listed at 03:00 has already concluded.)
Australia vs Egypt — Round of 32, 18:00 The big watch here is Mohamed Salah: The Guardian reports he is fit to face Australia after a hamstring strain scare, and Egypt will need him at his best against a Socceroos side that will press high and make this physical. If Salah is truly fit, Egypt have a real chance; if he's at 80%, Australia will find the gaps.
Argentina vs Cabo Verde — Round of 32, 22:00 Messi and Argentina finally enter the tournament tonight in Miami, facing Cabo Verde — one of the four nations making their World Cup debut this year. The stakes for Argentina are obvious; the stakes for Cabo Verde are historic. Watch whether Argentina's attack clicks from the jump or whether a compact, organized debut nation can keep it tight into the second half.
Around the Tournament
Nagelsmann out in Germany. Reuters reports that Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as Germany coach following their early World Cup exit, and the German Football Association is already in talks with Jürgen Klopp as a replacement. That's a seismic development — Klopp returning to the German national team job would be one of the biggest stories of the year, World Cup or not.
England's altitude headache. The Guardian reports that Tuchel has claimed a FIFA rule puts England at a "huge" disadvantage heading into their Round of 16 tie at the Azteca in Mexico City — and the FA is also reviewing security at the team's hotel there. England are through, but the off-field noise around their next match is already loud.
Mexico City is electric. The Guardian also notes that Mexico City is "swept up in World Cup fever" as El Tri capture imaginations like never before — and with England coming to the Azteca next, the atmosphere there is going to be something else entirely.
Tonight is Argentina's night — or Cabo Verde's chance to write the tournament's biggest upset story. Either way, set your alarm.
