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Spain power into last 16 at World Cup, Portugal face Croatia

LOS ANGELES: European champions Spain cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria to set up a potential showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header sealed victory for the Spaniards, who produced their most complete performance of the tournament to advance to the next round. Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a faltering 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, but have subsequently built momentum with each match. With Spanish movie stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in the 70,492 crowd at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Thursday, Spain were always in control against a limited Austrian side who failed to register a single shot on goal. Oyarzabal fired Spain into the lead in the 36th minute, sweeping in a low finish to crown a slick passing move, and more deft inter-play set up Porro to head home the second in the 66th minute. Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal grabbed his second in the 89th minute, coolly tucking away a low finish from Marc Cucurella’s pinpoint cross.

Spain, Portugal eye World Cup last 16

LOS ANGELES: European champions Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal aim to book their places in the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday as Algeria look to salvage some pride for African football. Spain take on Austria in Los Angeles, where a win will keep them on course for a potential meeting with Portugal in the next round. Portugal play Croatia in Toronto in a game that could mark the final career World Cup match for either Ronaldo or his former Real Madrid team-mate and veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. The late match sees Algeria aim to revive African fortunes after a rocky start to the knockout rounds for teams from the continent. Ivory Coast, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo have all fallen at the first knock-out hurdle in the last 32 after advancing from the group stage. Algeria, who squeezed into the last 32 with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Austria on Saturday, face Switzerland in Vancouver. After arriving at the World Cup as one of the favorites, Spain have made a relatively low-key start to the tournament. A shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde was followed by a 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia before an attritional victory over Uruguay. But Spain coach Luis de la Fuente maintains his team are on an upward curve and are exactly where they want to be as they reach the business end of the tournament. “This squad is used to breaking records and overcoming rough patches; we are determined to keep moving forward,” De la Fuente said on Wednesday. “From the time we arrived here up to the Uruguay match, we’ve seen the team begin to regain the automatic movements and patterns they had in the past. Now we have to deliver; there is no margin for error.”

Liam Gallagher tells England fans to ‘keep the biblical vibrations going’

Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has told England fans to “keep the biblical vibrations going” after supporters at the World Cup sung his band’s song Wonderwall with players at full time once again.

Croatia coach looks beyond Ronaldo showdown to midfield battle with Portugal

TORONTO, July 1 : While fans may frame Thursday's World Cup round-of-32 match as a Modric versus Ronaldo showdown, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic sees something different brewing when his team face Portugal in their first-ever World Cup meeting.

Queiroz reunites with Colombia as Ghana chase upset

July 1 : Colombia will look to build on one of the strongest group-stage campaigns at the World Cup when they face Ghana in the round of 32 on Friday, but standing in their way is a familiar face in their former coach Carlos Queiroz.

Portugal will approach knockouts like a 'second World Cup', says Martinez

TORONTO, July 1 : Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said his team will approach the knockout stage like a "second World Cup" when they face Croatia in their round of 32 clash in Toronto on Thursday.

Portugal carry Jota's memory into World Cup clash on anniversary of his death

July 1 : When Portugal walk on to the pitch to face Croatia in the World Cup round of 32 on Thursday in Toronto, the date will still be July 2 in Canada.

For two Toronto diasporas, Portugal-Croatia clash is more than just a game

TORONTO, June 30 : The World Cup has produced many magical moments so far, but perhaps none more poetic than Portugal and Croatia meeting in a last-32 clash on Thursday in Toronto, whose huge Portuguese and Croatian communities have been handed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Croatia Sport News

Spain power into last 16 at World Cup, Portugal face Croatia

Spain, Portugal eye World Cup last 16

Liam Gallagher tells England fans to ‘keep the biblical vibrations going’

Croatia coach looks beyond Ronaldo showdown to midfield battle with Portugal

Queiroz reunites with Colombia as Ghana chase upset

Portugal will approach knockouts like a 'second World Cup', says Martinez

Portugal carry Jota's memory into World Cup clash on anniversary of his death

For two Toronto diasporas, Portugal-Croatia clash is more than just a game