Knockouts Roundup: Spain and Switzerland Cruise, Egypt Survive on Penalties, and the Last 16 Begins

The 2026 World Cup's round of 32 is complete, and while Portugal's brush with technology and Argentina's fright against Cape Verde grabbed the headlines, the rest of the last-32 slate quietly reshaped the bracket. Over the past two days the favourites mostly held firm, one shootout went the distance, and a clutch of sides booked their places in a last 16 that begins today. Here is how the other knockout ties unfolded — and what to watch as the tournament's decisive phase opens.

Spain remain the team nobody wants to draw. On Thursday they brushed aside Austria 3-0 in a performance of control and quality that never looked in doubt, their midfield monopolising possession and their forwards taking their chances when they came. Luis de la Fuente's side have blended the swagger of their recent European success with a hard edge in the knockouts, and a 3-0 win over a well-drilled Austria was exactly the kind of statement the pre-tournament favourites needed. Their reward is a mouthwatering last-16 clash with Portugal in Arlington.

The same evening, Switzerland continued their habit of tournament over-achievement with a composed 2-0 win over Algeria. Rock-solid at the back and clinical on the break, the Swiss never allowed an Algerian side full of individual talent to build momentum, and eased into a round-of-16 tie against Colombia. It was the sort of unfussy, disciplined display that has become Switzerland's calling card at major tournaments — rarely spectacular, frequently effective.

Friday brought the drama the day before had lacked. Australia and Egypt could not be separated across 120 minutes — Emam Ashour's early opener for the Pharaohs cancelled out by a second-half own goal — and the tie went to a shootout, where Egypt held their nerve to win 4-2 and set up a last-16 date with Argentina. Colombia, meanwhile, needed only a moment of quality: Jhon Arias struck in the 14th minute and a disciplined Colombian side made it stand, seeing off Ghana 1-0 to book their place opposite Switzerland in Vancouver.

That leaves a last 16 brimming with intrigue, and it gets going today. First, co-hosts Canada meet Morocco in Houston — the Atlas Lions, who knocked out the Netherlands on penalties, against a Canadian side riding the wave of a home tournament. Then comes the pick of the round: Paraguay, the giant-killers who dumped Germany out on penalties, against a France team that swatted Sweden aside 3-0 and look every inch potential champions. Kylian Mbappé's side start heavy favourites, but Paraguay have already shown they do not read the script.

The shape of the bracket is now clear, and it is a heavyweight one: France or Paraguay await the winner of a Spain-Portugal blockbuster on one side; Argentina, Brazil, England and the hosts Mexico are scattered across the other. The past week has taught the field a lesson it will not forget quickly — that a two-goal lead can vanish, that a debutant nation can outplay the champions, and that even a goal in the back of the net is not safe until the ball itself agrees. On that evidence, the last 16 promises to be anything but routine.