Spain and Switzerland qualify comfortably. Portugal also make it but not without further VAR controversy
Spain looked excellent in their Last 32 tie against Austria. They dominated throughout with the Austrian’s barely able to lay a glove on them. They tried and worked hard but ultimately were beaten by a better team. 3-0 the final score with Mikel Oyarzabal grabbing two more goals in his quest for the Golden Boot. Indeed he now has scored 17 goals in his past 16 international matches. Not bad for one of the more understated players in the Spanish squad. Should they and France progress that far, and both looked good this past week, they will meet at the semi-final stage. That really ought to be some match if it comes about. I would not bet against it.
Before that, however, Spain will need to find a way past their old rivals and neighbours Portugal in the Last 16 after the Portuguese scraped past Croatia in their Last 32 tie. I stayed up for this one and did ponder going to bed at half-time since it was goalless with Croatia seemingly intent on defending. I am glad I did not though with the second half being one of the best of the tournament to date. Croatia came out in the second half and started to play the football we all know they are capable of, the match becoming a classic end-to-end battle. I thought that Croatia may go back into their shells after they took the lead through one of their old warhorses Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute but they did not, instead continuing to attack. Both sides had goals ruled out for narrow offsides before Portugal were awarded a penalty after the VAR decided a foul had been committed on Renato Veiga at a corner. Probably but so many similar pulls and pushes go on at corners these days it is difficult to know why one should be penalised over another. Croatia were penalised and Cristiano Ronaldo converted coolly to record his first ever goal in a World Cup Finals knockout tie. Croatia responded well with the excellent Mateo Kovacic forcing Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa into 2 quick-fire smart saves, the first outstanding as he tipped a shot onto the post. Croatia had a second goal disallowed for offside after Peter Sucic run onto a through ball to slot home. With all the interruptions from VAR and the hydration break, 10 minutes were added at the end. It ended up being closer to 20. Goncalo Ramos scored with a top class header from an even better cross from Rafael Leao in the 94th minute to put Portugal 2-1 up and looking to be on their way to the Last 16 but Croatia kept plugging away and thought they had rescued themselves in the dying seconds when Josko Gvardiol poked home, sparking huge celebrations in the end housing the Croatia fans. Replays though showed that the ball came off Mario Pasalic before Gvardiol scored with Pasalic standing in an offside position. The ball clearly came off Veiga’s back beforehand but it had also brushed past Igor Matanovic’s head just before. I did not know that the VAR has a “snicko” facility as they have it cricket. Apparently they do and it showed that Matanovic had gotten the slightest of touches before the ball reached Pasalic thus making it offside. No goal. Portugal qualify. The Croatian fans were not happy and you can understand why not. Harsh but technically the correct decision. They deserved extra-time but were denied that opportunity. A brilliant second half.
I did not stay up for the match between Switzerland and Algeria which saw the Swiss win their first knockout match at a World Cup Finals tournament since 1938. A long wait. Algeria have never won such a knockout tie and will need to wait another 4 years for their next chance after their 2-0 defeat. The Swiss go through to face either Colombia or Ghana in the Last 16.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
Louis V stays top with 449 points but Stuart Corbould has moved into second place on 446 with Gordon Annetts dropping to third on 440. Alan Dadswell stays 4th and Rebecca Corbould 5th with 433 and 432 points respectively. Tom Moir now shares 6th place with Ian Clapinson and Adam Wootton all on 424 points. Jen Smith leads the chasing pack on 422.
Honourable mentions today go to Steve Hards and Stuart Corbould for both scoring 28 points in last nights matches. Plenty of good scores across the board but I did not see anything better than 28. if anyone did beat that, my apologies, and please let me know for a special mention tomorrow.
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
