The Round of 32 has now wrapped up, and the final six matches delivered a bit of everything: comfortable wins, late drama, penalties, and one very nervous escape for Portugal.
Spain 3-0 Austria
Spain produced one of the most convincing performances of the round, easing past Austria with a controlled 3-0 win. Austria had enjoyed a strong tournament, but Spain’s quality, movement and composure proved too much.
Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Croatia pushed Portugal hard and took the lead, but Portugal fought back through a penalty before completing the comeback late on. With Cristiano Ronaldo substituted and Portugal looking more fluid afterwards, this result will spark plenty of debate.
Switzerland 2-0 Algeria
Switzerland delivered a professional knockout performance, keeping Algeria quiet and taking their chances well. It was not flashy, but it was calm, organised and effective.
Australia 1-1 Egypt (Egypt win 4-2 on penalties)
Australia and Egypt could not be separated after a tight 1-1 draw, sending the match to penalties. Egypt held their nerve from the spot, winning 4-2 in the shootout to move into the next round.
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
Argentina survived a real scare against Cape Verde, who pushed them all the way in one of the most entertaining matches of the round. The champions showed their tournament experience when it mattered and edged through 3-2.
Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Colombia closed out the Round of 32 with a narrow but important 1-0 win over Ghana. It was a tense match, but Colombia did enough to protect their lead and book their place in the next round.
Round of 32 Final Thoughts
The final stretch of the Round of 32 underlined how unpredictable this tournament has become. Spain looked ruthless, Portugal survived a major test, Argentina were pushed hard, and Egypt needed penalties to get through.
The Round of 16 is now set up beautifully, with several heavyweight clashes ahead and very little room left for mistakes.
