New Delhi, July 2: The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 features a thrilling matchup on Friday, with Spain facing Austria and Portugal taking on Croatia. Football fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating these two matches.
Spain is determined to secure its first knockout stage victory since winning the World Cup in 2010. Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, the team boasts an impressive record against Austria. Spain has not lost to Austria in their last five encounters, scoring four goals in each of the last two matches. The last time Austria triumphed over Spain was in a friendly match back in 1990, winning 3-2. Austria will be looking to improve its record against Spain with a win on Friday (12:30 AM IST).
In positive news for Spain, young star Lamine Yamal is fully fit and available for the entire match. Yeremi Pino and Víctor Muñoz have also recovered from injuries. Pino made a swift return from a shoulder injury sustained during the group stage, while Muñoz missed the group stage due to a muscle issue.
On the other hand, Portugal faces a tough challenge from Croatia. Led by Luka Modric, Croatia poses a significant threat to Portugal. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Modric are playing in their sixth and possibly final World Cup. They will aim to secure victories in their respective matches to guarantee a spot in the Round of 16 and move closer to their dream of winning their first World Cup. This Round of 32 clash is crucial for both teams. The Portugal vs. Croatia match is scheduled for Friday at 4:30 AM IST.
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