+ Spain–Austria, Thursday at 9:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, California, USA.
SVT/P4 Radio Sport.
After a tough start, 0–0 against Cape Verde, Spain, one of the pre-match favourites for the World Cup title, got the game going and beat Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to advance as group winners. The three matches were, however, followed by criticism. But star and World Cup debutant Lamine Yamal is certain Spain has the high level needed to win the World Cup - and he is sure the game will look different in the future.
The 18-year-old is also not bothered by the pressure resting on his shoulders.
Austria advanced as group runner-up behind reigning world champions Argentina - but it was just a matter of time. Sasa Kalajdzic became a great hero when he was substituted on and scored the equaliser against Algeria a minute later. The 28-year-old's journey to being seen as a national hero has been marked by injuries and misery.
If Sasa had told us six months ago that he would be selected for the squad and then score such an important goal, no one would have believed him, says national team captain Ralf Rangnick.
The match will be refereed by Swedish head referee Glenn Nyberg and his assistants Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Söderkvist.
The winner will face Portugal/Croatia in the round of 16.
+ Portugal–Croatia, Friday at 1:00 AM.
Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
TV4/P4 Radio Sport.
Portugal vs. Croatia, or maybe more Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, vs. Luka Modric, 40... The veterans will try to take their national teams further in the World Cup and they will have to do it at the expense of their friend. Ronaldo and Modric played together at Real Madrid for six seasons and won four Champions League titles during that time.
The nations have faced each other many times but this is the first time they have met in a World Cup final.
Ronaldo is the second oldest scorer in a World Cup at 41 years and 138 days, after Cameroon's Roger Milla, who was 42 years and 39 days old when he found the net.
The winner will face Spain/Austria in the round of 16.
+ Switzerland–Algeria, Friday at 5:00 AM.
TV4
BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
For seven years, Vladimir Petkovic was the national team coach of Switzerland - now he is looking to win the round of 16 against the Swiss with Algeria.
"Step by step we are building a winning mentality. In big tournaments it is important to get better with every match you play, and that is exactly what we are doing," says Petkovic.
To advance, Petkovic & Co. need to get control of one of the championship's most successful players: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old has already scored three goals and set up one, and helped ensure that Switzerland won the group ahead of Canada, one of the host nations.
The winner will face Colombia/Ghana in the round of 16.
