The Short Version
July 2 completed a clean sweep for the group winners and second-placed heavyweights. Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field in the tie everyone had circled — Cristiano Ronaldo’s side outlasting Luka Modrić’s in what is almost certainly the Croatian great’s final World Cup. Spain brushed Austria aside 3-0 at SoFi Stadium, and the host nation, the United States, saw off Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi’s Stadium. Portugal, Spain and the USA are into the last 16; Croatia, Austria and Bosnia go home. The bracket is now nearly complete.
After a week in which penalties dumped Germany and the Netherlands out, July 2 was a day for the favourites — and, in Toronto, for a goodbye. The three ties went the way the seeding suggested, but one of them carried a weight far beyond the scoreline: the last World Cup meeting, in all likelihood, of two of the defining players of their generation.
July 2 results at a glance
| Tie | Score | Venue | Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs Croatia | 2–1 | BMO Field, Toronto | Portugal |
| Spain vs Austria | 3–0 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | Spain |
| USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | 2–0 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | United States |
Three ties, three wins for the higher-ranked side, and no shocks to match the drama of the previous days — but the Portugal-Croatia result will be remembered long after the scoreline fades.
Portugal edge Croatia as Ronaldo outlasts Modrić
Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field to reach the last 16, in the tie our preview had framed as a farewell between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić — and almost exactly the 2-1 Portugal win it leaned toward. Both men are 40, and this was very probably the last time they will share a World Cup knockout stage.
It was the tight, low-margin contest the matchup promised. Portugal’s stronger defensive record and greater cutting edge told in the end, but Croatia — bruised by a heavy defeat to England in the group stage — made them work, and were a goal from taking it deeper. For Modrić’s Croatia, a golden generation’s tournament run ends here. For Ronaldo’s Portugal, the road continues into the last 16, as the result confirmed.
Spain and the United States cruise
The day’s other two ties were more straightforward. Spain produced the most emphatic performance, beating Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium to move into the last 16 with the kind of control their tiki-taka pedigree suggests. The Group H winners never looked troubled, and they join the list of contenders who have negotiated the round of 32 without a scare, as the day’s coverage showed.
The host nation also came through in comfort. The United States beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, a clean, controlled win that sends the co-hosts into the last 16 on home soil — where a meeting with Belgium awaits. After England and Belgium survived their own scares the day before, the seeds are holding firm across the board.
The last 16 is taking shape
With July 2 done, the round of 16 is almost set. These ties are confirmed:
| Round-of-16 tie | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Canada vs Morocco | July 4 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Paraguay vs France | July 4 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Brazil vs Norway | July 5 | MetLife Stadium |
| England vs TBD | July 6 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| USA vs Belgium | July 7 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
A handful of last-16 places and pairings will be settled by the final round-of-32 ties, including Australia vs Egypt and Argentina vs Cabo Verde on July 3. Portugal and Spain now join the last-16 field, their exact opponents to be confirmed as the bracket completes.
Frequently asked questions
What were the July 2 World Cup results? Portugal beat Croatia 2-1, Spain beat Austria 3-0, and the United States beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in the round of 32. Portugal, Spain and the USA all advanced to the last 16.
What was the Portugal vs Croatia score? Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field in Toronto to reach the last 16, ending Croatia’s tournament.
Was this Ronaldo and Modrić’s last World Cup meeting? Almost certainly. Both players are 40, and 2026 is widely expected to be the final World Cup for each, making the Portugal-Croatia tie their likely last knockout meeting.
What was the Spain vs Austria score? Spain beat Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium, the most emphatic result of the day, to reach the last 16 as the Group H winners.
Did the United States advance? Yes. The United States beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi’s Stadium to reach the last 16, where they will face Belgium on July 7.
Which teams were eliminated on July 2? Croatia, Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina were all knocked out of the round of 32.
Who do the July 2 winners play next? The United States face Belgium in the last 16. Portugal and Spain also advance, with their round-of-16 opponents to be confirmed as the remaining round-of-32 ties are completed.
What round-of-32 ties are left? The final round-of-32 ties include Switzerland vs Algeria, Australia vs Egypt and Argentina vs Cabo Verde on July 3, and Colombia vs Ghana on July 4.
