Portugal vs. Croatia Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

Portugal was in the ascendancy for most of the first half, with Croatia offering sporadic but credible threats on the counter. 

That's probably how most people expected this match to play out, including the teams themselves. There don't appear to be a ton of surprises out there, and while both sides have made genuine efforts at attacking, it has rarely felt like the opposing defense is in serious trouble.

The question is who this game state currently favors. Portugal certainly have more depth to make impact changes off the bench in the second half and beyond. Croatia have the considerably better record of managing the late stages of World Cup knockout-round matches.

Legends of the game

Took a Trionda right in the triondas 😖

Quick start to the game

Portugal. Croatia. SOMEONE is going home

Ronaldo and Modrić both start, PSG midfield for Portugal

No one loved Spain's win more than Lamine's little bro

Incredible streak of clean sheets for Unai Simón

Spain's shocking scoreless draw with Cape Verde that began their World Cup campaign feels like ages ago, doesn't it?

It feels that way not just because dozens and dozens of games have taken place across North America since Spain's opener, but also because this Spanish team is operating near its peak in the knockout rounds. It didn't look as if they even had to get out of first gear in Thursday afternoon's resounding win over Austria.

Striker Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 36th minute, while right back Pedro Porro added a goal of his own in the 66th minute to double the lead. In the game's dying moments, Oyarzabal secured his brace to lock in a 3-0 win. In possession, Spain used their effective movement on and off the ball to play through the lines of Austria's 4-4-2 setup. They exploited gaps with ease and punished Ralf Rangnick's side along the way. Defensively, Spain looked sharp, too. With aggressive pressing and counter pressing, they virtually never allowed Austria to gain a foothold in the match.

It was, then, a disappointing showing from Austria, who just couldn't find a way into the game even after shifting to a more attack-minded personnel grouping partway through the second half. Their lack of attacking difference-makers came back to bite in the knockouts – at their first World Cup in 28 years, Austria leave the tournament without a standout result. 

Spain, for their part, advance to the Round of 16 where they'll take on the winner of Portugal and Croatia.

Great ball from Cucurella

Pedro Porro all alone in the box... he's a right back!

Up by a goal at the break, things looked incredibly easy for Spain in their first 45 minutes against Austria.

Having allowed just two shots and having spent almost the entire match in the opposing half, this has been Spain near their best. Luis de la Fuente's team has mixed clever ball movement in possession with aggressive pressing and counter pressing, a part of their approach that doesn't get nearly enough credit. The opener, scored by Mikel Oyarzabal, stemmed from Spain forcing Austria to play a hopeful long ball out of the back. 

Another encouraging development for Spain has been the performance of Lamine Yamal. The teenage right winger has looked sharper than at any other point this summer, seemingly recovering well from the injury that once put his status for this World Cup into question. With Spain firing, it might be a long second half for Austria.

Free kick hits crossbar and goalie denies Yamal

Oyarzabal finishes calmly for the opener

Questionable foul called against the Spanish

They are abnormally good

Vamoooooooos

Now THAT is a look

Looking strong against Austria

Will Spain star show up today?

England supporter didn't know what else to do after Kane winner

Of course this is what they did

Leo can't stop laughing

Can Ronaldo and Portugal progress?