{"id":16806,"date":"2026-07-04T03:25:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T21:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=16806"},"modified":"2026-07-04T03:25:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T21:55:12","slug":"fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | July 3: Spain Cruise, Portugal Survive, Switzerland Advance \u2014 and a Round of 16 Blockbuster Takes Shape"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>July 3 delivered something for everyone. Spain were clinical. Portugal were chaotic. Switzerland were quietly brilliant. And when the dust settled on all three results, the Round of 16 handed us a gift: Portugal vs Spain. The Iberian derby. At a World Cup. On July 7.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/#Spain_3%E2%80%930_Austria_%E2%80%94_Oyarzabal_Cucurella_and_a_Statement_Win\" title=\"Spain 3\u20130 Austria \u2014 Oyarzabal, Cucurella, and a Statement Win\">Spain 3\u20130 Austria \u2014 Oyarzabal, Cucurella, and a Statement Win<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/#Portugal_2%E2%80%931_Croatia_%E2%80%94_Ronaldos_Night_Ramoss_Glory\" title=\"Portugal 2\u20131 Croatia \u2014 Ronaldo&#8217;s Night, Ramos&#8217;s Glory\">Portugal 2\u20131 Croatia \u2014 Ronaldo&#8217;s Night, Ramos&#8217;s Glory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/#Switzerland_2%E2%80%930_Algeria_%E2%80%94_The_Quiet_Specialists\" title=\"Switzerland 2\u20130 Algeria \u2014 The Quiet Specialists\">Switzerland 2\u20130 Algeria \u2014 The Quiet Specialists<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/#The_Fixture_That_Has_Everyone_Talking\" title=\"The Fixture That Has Everyone Talking\">The Fixture That Has Everyone Talking<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Three matches, three stories worth telling \u2014 all of it live on ZEE 5. Get the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"> ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription<\/a>\u00a0 Quarterly Plan at \u20b9799 and stream every remaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\">FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/a> match in India.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spain_3%E2%80%930_Austria_%E2%80%94_Oyarzabal_Cucurella_and_a_Statement_Win\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/esp-vs-aut-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5996548?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\"><b>Spain 3\u20130 Austria<\/b><\/a><b> \u2014 Oyarzabal, Cucurella, and a Statement Win<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This was Spain at their most controlled. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice \u2014 a composed first-time finish in the 36th minute and a clinical slot into the far corner in the 89th \u2014 and Pedro Porro added a perfectly timed header in the 66th. Two assists for Marc Cucurella, who was involved in almost every meaningful moment Spain created. He even scored a goal which was disallowed. He provided the cross for both of Oyarzabal&#8217;s goals.<\/p>\n<p>Austria had one real moment \u2014 Sa\u0161a Kalajd\u017ei\u0107&#8217;s substitute header in the 61st minute that skimmed over. David Alaba made a goal-line clearance in the 85th that was stunning but ultimately irrelevant. Spain were always in control. La Roja are through and playing some of the most organised football left in this tournament.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Portugal_2%E2%80%931_Croatia_%E2%80%94_Ronaldos_Night_Ramoss_Glory\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/por-vs-cro-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5996560?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\"><b>Portugal 2\u20131 Croatia<\/b><\/a><b> \u2014 Ronaldo&#8217;s Night, Ramos&#8217;s Glory<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Where Spain were composed, Portugal were everything but. Croatia led through Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107&#8217;s 53rd-minute drive. Ronaldo had a goal disallowed by VAR for being offside by a shoulder. Roberto Mart\u00ednez made a triple substitution in the 62nd minute. Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after Vla\u0161i\u0107 fouled Renato Veiga. Then Mart\u00ednez substituted Ronaldo in the 81st minute. Visibly unhappy. Jaw set. Gone.<\/p>\n<p>Portugal, with ten minutes and a substitute striker, still needed to win. Gon\u00e7alo Ramos \u2014 who came on in that 62nd-minute change \u2014 met a Rafael Le\u00e3o cross in the 94th minute and powered a header into the net. 2\u20131. Portugal&#8217;s bench lost their minds. Croatia were not done either: Gvardiol bundled in what would have been a 90+15&#8242; equaliser, but VAR ruled Pa\u0161ali\u0107 offside in the build-up. The goal was disallowed. Portugal through. Croatia&#8217;s night: three disallowed goals, a penalty conceded, and an injury-time sucker punch. Football can be very cruel.<\/p>\n<p>The subplot everyone will be talking about: Ronaldo walked off that pitch unhappy. He scored Portugal&#8217;s equaliser. He had a goal ruled out. He was substituted. It is the kind of night that writes its own narrative. Portugal vs Spain is on July 7. Ronaldo will likely start. He will have something to prove.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Switzerland_2%E2%80%930_Algeria_%E2%80%94_The_Quiet_Specialists\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/sui-vs-alg-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5996570?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\"><b>Switzerland 2\u20130 Algeria<\/b><\/a><b> \u2014 The Quiet Specialists<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Switzerland did what Switzerland didSwitzerland do. Breel Embolo scored in the 10th minute from a Johan Manzambi assist. Dan Ndoye scored 60 seconds into the second half after Algeria twice failed to clear. Gregor Kobel made some spectacular saves \u2014 two of them match-defining, both times denying Houssem Aouar. Algeria pressed, created, and were consistently excellent value for more than the scoreline suggests. But the Swiss structure absorbed everything and punished every mistake.<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland face the winner of Colombia vs Ghana in the Round of 16. They are not glamorous. But they are very, very difficult to beat.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Fixture_That_Has_Everyone_Talking\"><\/span><b>The Fixture That Has Everyone Talking<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/portugal\/portugal-squad\">Portugal<\/a> vs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/spain\/spain-squad\">Spain<\/a>. July 7, 12:30 AM IST. Two Iberian neighbors, one World Cup knockout match. Spain have not conceded once in the tournament. Portugal got through a chaotic night on pure resilience and one Ramos header. They are very different teams right now \u2014 and that makes the match-up even more compelling.<\/p>\n<p>Spain will be favorites. Oyarzabal is in form, Cucurella is the tournament&#8217;s most underrated creative force, and La Roja have not been stretched yet. Portugal have Ronaldo, who will arrive at this fixture with a point to make after being substituted off on the biggest night of Portugal&#8217;s campaign so far. That combination \u2014 Spanish confidence versus Portuguese fury \u2014 is what Round of 16 football is made for.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Portugal vs Spain, Switzerland vs their R16 opponent, and the rest of the Round of 16 \u2014 all live on ZEE 5, India&#8217;s official home of FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>July 3 delivered something for everyone. Spain were clinical. Portugal were chaotic. Switzerland were quietly brilliant. And when the dust settled on all three results, the Round of 16 handed us a gift: Portugal vs Spain. The Iberian derby. At a World Cup. On July 7. Three matches, three stories worth telling \u2014 all of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":14976,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3367,3358,3404],"class_list":["post-16806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-round-of-16","tag-round-of-32","tag-round-of-32-highlights"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400-4.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | July 3: Spain Cruise, Portugal Survive, Switzerland Advance \u2014 and a Round of 16 Blockbuster Takes Shape<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"FIFA 2026\u2122 highlights\u2014Spain, Portugal and Switzerland reach the Round of 16.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | July 3: Spain Cruise, Portugal Survive, Switzerland Advance \u2014 and a Round of 16 Blockbuster Takes Shape\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FIFA 2026\u2122 highlights\u2014Spain, Portugal and Switzerland reach the Round of 16.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-july-3-spain-cruise-portugal-survive-switzerland-advance-and-a-round-of-16-blockbuster-takes-shape\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ZEE5 Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-03T21:55:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400-4.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1132\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written 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