The knockout stage continues with another strong slate of matchups, featuring some of the tournament’s most talented teams and a few dangerous underdogs looking to keep their World Cup runs alive.
Spain looks to keep its perfect defensive record intact against Austria, Portugal faces a tough test against Croatia, and Switzerland takes on an Algeria side that has already shown plenty of fight.
Spain vs. Austria
Spain has yet to concede a World Cup goal, but Austria will provide a stern test with its array of unspectacular but efficient attacking play.
The Austrian offensive style is designed around runs off the ball and sharp triangular passing, which contrasts with Spain’s on-the-ball trickery and efficient individual dribbling abilities.
Das Team of Austria qualified on a 96th-minute equalizing goal against Algeria by Saša Kalajdžić, while Spain cruised through Group H with seven points from two wins and a draw.
That means nothing when it comes to the knockouts. Heavily favored Spain should dominate the midfield with Pedri, Rodri, and Merino in full control.
Austria will likely defend in a low-block 5-4-1 formation, attempting to reduce space and limit isolated one-on-one situations. Still, that will not prevent crosses in and around the six-yard box or darting runs by Spain’s attackers.
La Roja will attack from the wings, especially through Lamine Yamal, while targeting red-hot striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who has been hot and cold finishing inside the box.
Against Cape Verde in Matchday 1 of group play, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal became the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a FIFA World Cup match without touching the ball once. However, in the knockout stage, Spain knows exactly what is at stake.
Anticipate Spain’s defense being locked down and very difficult to break down, especially when powerful Austrian forwards Marko Arnautović and Michael Gregoritsch are approaching.
Spain is deeply loaded with talent, with players who showcase their skills in the EPL and for clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, just to name a few. Austria, without a doubt, enters as the underdog, but they have country pride and on-the-pitch chemistry to support their campaign against one of the best teams in the Cup.
Pro Paul’s Pick: Spain advances.
Portugal vs. Croatia
Portugal failed to win Group K, setting up a very tough matchup with 2022 semifinalist Croatia in the Round of 32 knockout stage in Toronto.
The stakes are as high as they can be. Both teams fully understand it is win or go home.
The teams have met only once in World Cup competition, with Portugal winning. As a matter of fact, there have been 10 all-time head-to-head competitions, with Portugal winning seven matches, Croatia winning once, and two ending in draws.
Portugal also dominates in total goals, 19 to 8. Obviously, Portugal should be confident, knowing Croatia all too well over the last decade with favorable results. However, this is World Cup play at its finest, where anything is possible, especially after the upset witnessed in the Germany vs. Paraguay match.
Croatia will not back down and will bring star power to the pitch with Luka Modrić, who controls the tempo and serves as the main playmaker. Mateo Kovačić is another dynamic midfielder who creates connecting lines of play. In the back, there is versatile and strong defender Joško Gvardiol, who will be tasked with keeping Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in check.
The Seleção das Quinas has one of the best midfields in the entire tournament, headed by attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who could very easily be the difference maker.
João Félix and Pedro Neto will be a handful to contain out on the flanks. Because of their skill, they can spin defenders in opposite directions, buying time and space to deliver dangerous crosses and split the lines with penetrating passes into scoring areas.
All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who looks to have found his form, but the main focus should be the battle between Modrić and Vitinha. Whichever team controls that matchup may control the tempo of the game and dominate the midfield.
Pro Paul’s Pick: Portugal advances.
Switzerland vs. Algeria
The Swiss remain in Vancouver to take on third-place finisher Algeria.
After a slow start with a draw against Qatar, the Swiss mechanics clicked. They beat Bosnia and Herzegovina handily, 4-1, and then claimed the top spot in Group B by taking down co-host Canada in its own backyard.
Algeria qualified as the third-place finisher in Group J with four points after a spectacular 3-3 draw against Austria and a 2-1 win over newcomer Jordan.
Switzerland is of a higher standard but plays a similar style of soccer to Austria. If Algeria wants success and a favorable result to advance into the Round of 16, they will need to tighten up defensively after allowing seven goals in group play.
In order to do that, Algeria must contain a real threat in Embolo and Johan Manzambi, who have both proven to be the firepower of the Swiss attack.
Team Nati will need to slow down the quick attacks that Algeria deploys on the flanks, where they try to isolate their talented wingers and go right at defenders to create scoring opportunities.
Amine Gouiri has been the go-to player for Algeria, putting opponents on their heels with relentless effort. This is only the second time in World Cup history that Algeria has made it out of the group stage, and on paper, the Europeans have more quality, making Switzerland the favorite.
But with heart and desire, this competition has delivered so much unexpected excitement and suspense.
