Portugal and Spain favored as World Cup knockouts continue
Thursday’s round-of-32 schedule features Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, with Opta projections favoring all three to advance.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain, Portugal and Switzerland enter World Cup knockout play on Thursday as the round of 32 continues across North America. The matches will help set more of the round-of-16 bracket, while Portugal’s meeting with Croatia has drawn heavy attention in Toronto because of Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence.
Al Jazeera reported that the day opens with Spain against Austria at Los Angeles Stadium at noon local time, 19:00 GMT. Portugal then face Croatia at Toronto Stadium in Ontario at 7pm local time, 23:00 GMT, before Switzerland meet Algeria at BC Place in Vancouver at 8pm local time, 03:00 GMT on Friday.
Opta gives Portugal the edge over Croatia
Portugal go into the Croatia match with the stronger head-to-head record, according to Al Jazeera. Portugal have lost once in 10 meetings with Croatia in all competitions and are unbeaten in six competitive matches between the teams, with five wins and one draw.
Opta’s supercomputer made Portugal the favorite after running 25,000 pre-match simulations, Al Jazeera reported. Portugal won in 90 minutes in 54.5 percent of those simulations, while Croatia won 20.4 percent. Another 25.1 percent were level after normal time, which would send the game toward extra time and possibly penalties.
Ronaldo’s arrival has added to the attention around the match. Al Jazeera reported that hundreds of supporters gathered in Toronto on Wednesday along highways, downtown streets, vantage points and high-rise buildings as Portugal moved through the city. Ronaldo last played in Toronto in 2009, when Real Madrid faced Toronto FC in a preseason friendly at the same stadium.
Demand has also shown up in resale prices. Ticketdata price-tracking figures cited by Al Jazeera put the average cost of the cheapest available Portugal-Croatia ticket above $3,000 on Saturday.
Spain and Switzerland also favored
Spain are heavy favorites against Austria, according to Opta projections cited by Al Jazeera. Spain won 70.6 percent of 25,000 simulations inside 90 minutes, while Austria won 12.2 percent and 17.3 percent ended in draws. Including extra time and penalties, Spain’s chance of reaching the last 16 was rated at 79.5 percent.
Recent meetings also favor Spain. Al Jazeera reported that Spain are unbeaten in their past five games against Austria, with each of the past two ending in four-goal wins for Spain.
Switzerland have never faced Algeria in a competitive match, though Al Jazeera reported they won both previous friendlies: 2-1 in 1983 and 2-0 three years later. Opta gave Switzerland a 49.5 percent chance of beating Algeria in normal time, compared with 23.9 percent for Algeria and 26.6 percent for a draw.
Round-of-16 picture takes shape
Al Jazeera’s list of teams already through includes Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Morocco, Norway, France, Mexico, England and the United States. The eliminated teams listed are South Africa, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
England advanced with a 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in Atlanta, with Harry Kane scoring twice late after Brian Cipenga had put DR Congo ahead, Al Jazeera reported. Belgium also moved on after coming from 2-0 down against Senegal to win 3-2 in extra time, and Al Jazeera reported they will face the United States on Monday, July 6.
Mexican authorities said four people died in Mexico City during celebrations after Mexico beat Ecuador. Officials said three people were found unconscious near the Angel of Independence monument and a fourth man later died in hospital after a medical emergency; the causes of death remain under investigation.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.