🗞️ Friday's front pages: Spain and Portugal roar into the last 16 | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup is going through its most intense days after a memorable matchday. The front pages of the world’s sports press reflect Spain’s purple patch, Portugal’s nerve-racking qualification, and the huge anticipation surrounding the decisive match for the Argentine national team.

Total masterclass from de la Fuente’s Spain

Spanish newspapers are unanimously enthusiastic after La Roja’s emphatic 3-0 win over Austria. Marca leads with “Like angels,” while As describes it as a “Movie-like Spain” after the recital in Los Angeles.

A brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a goal from Pedro Porro sealed their place in the round of 16. In addition, the spotlight is on the historic World Cup clean-sheet record broken by Unai Simón (519 minutes) and Lamine Yamal being named the match MVP, sparking collective excitement.

Portugal advance amid suffering and controversy

The Portuguese press celebrates a dramatic qualification with relief. With headlines such as “We turned it around!” in Record and “Keep your head straight” in O Jogo, they highlight Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia.

The match was marked by VAR’s major role and a dramatic winner from Gonçalo Ramos deep into stoppage time (90+4). Newspapers stress that this victory puts Cristiano Ronaldo’s side on a collision course with Spain, setting up a thrilling Iberian clash in the round of 16 to be played in Dallas.

Blue-and-white wave builds ahead of Argentina

From South America, attention shifts to the build-up to the clash against Cape Verde. The newspaper Olé runs the front-page headline “Leocales otra vez,” showing the spectacular mobilization of Argentina’s fans on the beaches of Miami.

For its part, Diario Popular focuses its front page on Lionel Messi under the slogan “For another step toward the great dream,” reflecting coach Lionel Scaloni’s caution ahead of the match against the African side as Argentina chase a place in the round of 16.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 FREDERIC J. BROWN - AFP or licensors