Switzerland have secured their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive tournament, defeating Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver on Friday AEST, while Portugal needed a stoppage-time header and a controversial offside call to survive a ferocious Croatia challenge in Toronto.
Switzerland control Algeria to advance again
The Swiss were efficient and composed against Algeria, with the game's defining contributions coming from 20-year-old Johan Manzambi. The youngster surged down the left flank before delivering a cross for Breel Embolo to tap in the opening goal. It was Manzambi's second assist of the tournament — a remarkable contribution from a player who has started only two of his four World Cup appearances yet has already scored three goals.
Dan Ndoye added the second, drilling a shot through a crowded penalty area. Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane could not get a strong enough hand to it, and the north Africans were left to reflect on a deeply disappointing night.
Algeria's exit means they join Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Senegal as African nations eliminated at the last-32 stage. Of the continent's representatives, only Morocco have progressed further.
For Switzerland, the result continues a pattern of last-16 appearances — but also a recurring curse. The Swiss were knocked out at the round of 16 in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Three-time World Cup quarter-finalists, they have not reached the last eight since 1954, and will be determined to finally break that cycle. They will face the winners of Saturday's match between Colombia and Ghana.
Portugal survive Croatia drama as Ronaldo makes history
In Toronto, Portugal's passage to the knockout rounds came the hard way. The match was evenly poised through the first half before Croatia's Ivan Perišić broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, slotting the ball under the advancing Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have immediately restored parity, controlling a long pass and finding the net — only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Portugal did get level, however, when Renato Veiga was grabbed by Croatia's Nikola Vlašić in the area. A VAR review confirmed the penalty, and Ronaldo converted with authority, driving the ball straight down the middle before celebrating emphatically. Notably, it was his first ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup — a remarkable footnote in an extraordinary career.
Croatia continued to carry the greater threat. Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovačić struck a low shot that Diogo Costa pushed onto the post, and Mario Pašalić came agonisingly close with a header at the far post that bounced just wide.
With the game seemingly heading for extra time, substitute Gonçalo Ramos settled it in the fourth minute of stoppage time, heading home a superb pass from Rafael Leão. But even then, Croatia refused to yield. Peta Sučić had the ball in the net only to be flagged for offside, and in a stunning final moment, Joško Gvardiol thought he had forced extra time — until the assistant referee's flag went up again for another offside decision. Croatia were left stunned; Portugal's players erupted.
Ronaldo had been withdrawn in the 81st minute to allow Rúben Neves into the game, but his influence had already shaped the result. Portugal now face Spain in the Round of 16 — a tantalising Iberian derby on football's biggest stage.
What's next at the World Cup
With Spain having advanced comfortably past Austria, the stage is set for a blockbuster knockout fixture. Switzerland's reward is a tie against the Colombia-Ghana winner, while Portugal and Spain will renew their rivalry in what promises to be one of the ties of the round. Follow all the latest World Cup news and results as the tournament enters its knockout phase.
