The 2026 World Cup — Day 22
The World Cup last-32 action continues this evening with European champions Spain up against Austria.
Luis de la Fuente's side recovered from a goalless stalemate with Cape Verde to progress from the groups with minimal fuss, and next face an Austria side that required a dramatic last-gasp equaliser against Algeria to rescue their tournament.
That clash is followed by an intriguing match-up between Portugal and Croatia, as Ballon d'Or-winning golden oldies Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric go head-to-head.
Ronaldo will be bidding to finally get his hands on the World Cup, if ex-Everton gaffer Roberto Martinez can successfully merge a talented team together.
In the early hours of Friday morning for those based in the UK, Switzerland take on Algeria.
Thursday 2 July 2026
20:00 Spain vs Austria — BBC 1
00:00 Portugal vs Croatia — BBC 1
04:00 Switzerland vs Algeria — BBC 1
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
Posted
02/07/2026 at
15:48:56
Hardly watched any games. I think its a combination of too many meaningless and unattractive games, the time difference, games in three different countries over a vast area, so it doesnt seem like a tournament (not sure why this matters whilst watching on TV!), the ridiculous drinks break, or the stupid format where teams can come third in a group of four and still qualify whilst their fans hang around for a week to see if they will get another game.
It is just like the Champions League format now, bloated, over extended and not just the best teams.
Anything to make money from TV and hope the fans will embrace it. It just doesn't feel like a World Cup.
Posted
02/07/2026 at
18:14:48
Ray...I agree, but you forgot one thing. Lee Dixon !
Posted
02/07/2026 at
20:28:43
Austria and Spain meeting in a competitive game for only the second time, two European countries, just goes to show how fixed the group qualification stages for the Euros and World Cups have been over the years, England must have played Poland about 20 times in the past 40 years in qualifying for both major tournaments.
Always thought those qualifying groups are always very “samey” competition after competition , obviously they are set up that way, which is corrupt as usual.
Posted
02/07/2026 at
21:18:33
Austria do know this is a knockout game don't they?
Posted
02/07/2026 at
22:13:23
Jeff, why jump to the ‘corrupt’ label? Some sort of seeding is sensible otherwise you could have all the best teams simply wiping each other out in the preliminaries. No-one would think much of the competition if a minnow had just as good a chance of surviving to the final as a great team.
Please present some indisputable facts, such as a complete statistical breakdown, before stirring up the conspiracy theory pot.
Posted
02/07/2026 at
23:40:43
Mikel Oyarzabal is some player. One thing I love about this one club player is his utter loyalty to Real Sociadad, San Sebastian, and the Basque culture and politics. Once said to the big two, don't bother trying to get me, it will not work, I will never go anywhere else.
Posted
02/07/2026 at
23:46:24
Second that, Oyarzabal is class personified.
Posted
02/07/2026 at
23:59:35
Portugal's anthem is classic military dictatorship stuff.
Posted
02/07/2026 at
00:53:22
This dullish one has extra time and pens written all over it.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
01:30:28
Our old friend Vlasic commits the penalty, and it's 1-1.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
01:34:39
Ronaldo deserved that after that offside ruling.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
02:11:54
What fecking drama at the end again. So many games like this.
A chip in the ball, wow.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
02:31:14
Well that second half was far from "dull-ish". What was it, 4 disallowed goals, post hit, finger tip saves, and the drama in the 103rd minute was something else!
Ronaldo's disallowed goal was particularly sublime, and only a gnat's whisker off.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
03:36:22
If that Jamie
Posted
03/07/2026 at
05:48:19
I don't actually mind it.
Brings back memories of the Yakubu first season with us or the Jelavic 11/12 season and definitely 2016/17.
It's amber not orange, looking again it's quite subtle on the shirt, there are no crazy patterns and I like the socks as blue.
Kits a kit.
Just give me a bloody good team for once is all I'm asking.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
07:00:50
Wrong thread Jim
Posted
03/07/2026 at
07:57:41
Aye Paul.
I thought it was ToffeeWeb playing up again at first, I'm not 100 percent behind this new format to be honest, don't like it at all.
The kit thread should have been put yesterday morning but hey ho.
Posted
03/07/2026 at
08:29:00
Cheers Jim. Have a boss day. I'm off to zzzzzzzzzz
Posted
03/07/2026 at
10:29:19
I though the VAR calls were too much, how would it have ended without them?
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
© ToffeeWeb
19 
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 02/07/2026 at 15:48:56
It is just like the Champions League format now, bloated, over extended and not just the best teams.
Anything to make money from TV and hope the fans will embrace it. It just doesn't feel like a World Cup.